Delaware State University students took to campus to protest Wednesday afternoon as over 200 students gathered in front of the public safety building, calling for change within the Delaware State University Police Department.
Students flooded a campus street, claiming experiences of excessive force from campus police officers, slow response times and lack of response to student calls. The complaints included claims that many sexual assaults have gone unreported for fears they will not be taken seriously.
“We’re just trying to bring awareness to student rights,” said one freshman in attendance, Micaih Lloyd. “Not all students feel safe on campus.”
“We’re supposed to be at a place where we feel loved, where we feel at home,” Lloyd added. “Administration needs to make a change.”
Delaware State University had no comment to share when reached early Wednesday afternoon, though Director of News Services Carlos Holmes reiterated that all students have a right to free speech.
What’s been happening at DSU?
The protest comes as the Dover institution just celebrated enrollment milestones.
Delaware State University marked a 40% expansion in the last decade by fall 2022, welcoming the largest class of 1,700 freshmen and more than 6,200 total students for the first time in its 131 years.
The school also shared a No. 2 ranking among public and No. 8 ranking among all Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country that fall — vying among other institutions of higher education established before the Civil Rights Act aiming to foster African American students.
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This growth followed the acquisition of Wesley College in 2021, expanding its campus footprint into downtown Dover, growing its student body and degree programs.
But public safety concerns sparked late last year as well when a shooting on campus left four people injured in September. University officials released little information from the incident, as Delaware Online previously reported, leaving parents and students frustrated.
By Wednesday mid-afternoon, the student protest continued.
This story is still developing. Check back at DelawareOnline.com for updates as more information becomes available.
