MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a landmark effort to strengthen campus safety across Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs), HBCU CARES, an Alabama-based nonprofit dedicated to the sustainability and resilience of these institutions, facilitated a pivotal virtual meeting with Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Hal Taylor.
The meeting, facilitated by Dr. Quinton Ross, President of Alabama State University, brought together leaders from Alabama’s HBCU and HBCC communities, including representatives from Tuskegee University, Miles College, Lawson State Community College, Trenholm State Community College, Stillman College, Talladega College, Shelton State Community College, and Bishop State Community College.
“This meeting represents a vital moment in a collective effort to create safer, more secure learning environments for our students and faculty,” said Terri Sharpley Reynolds, Senior Strategic Advisor and Legal Counsel for HBCU CARES. “By working collaboratively with ALEA and leveraging the resources discussed today, we can make a significant impact on the safety and resiliency of our campuses. HBCU CARES has proven once again its ability to bring leaders together to address critical issues facing our institutions.”
During the meeting, Secretary Taylor outlined several initiatives designed to bolster campus safety:
Free Campus Safety Assessments: Conducted by ALEA in collaboration with Homeland Security, these comprehensive evaluations will help identify vulnerabilities and enhance campus security at no cost to institutions.
Access to Grant Funding: ALEA will offer small grants to support critical security upgrades on campuses, addressing funding gaps for HBCUs and HBCCs.
Joint Training Programs: ALEA will facilitate collaborative training sessions involving state personnel, local law enforcement, and campus security teams to improve readiness and coordination.
Streamlined Communication Channels: ALEA committed to enhancing communication between law enforcement agencies, campus leaders, and key stakeholders to address safety challenges more effectively.
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