Recent violence at Tennessee universities prompted a meeting between
Gov. Phil Bredesen and the Board of Regents to discuss increased
awareness and security measures.

These incidents include the beating of a freshman at Middle Tennessee
State University, fired shots and a dorm invasion on the Tennessee
State University campus and the fatal shooting of University of Memphis
football player Taylor Bradford.

Bradford was shot and killed outside of his residence hall last Sunday night, and police have yet to identify the killer.

“We welcome moral support and encouragement from other Tennessee
universities, and (we hope) other schools will realize that you can
never prevent what will happen, even in safe places,” said Curt
Guenther, public relations director for the University of Memphis.

The University of Memphis has increased the number of police on bikes
and car patrols near residence halls, on-campus apartments and on the
pedestrian interior of the campus. Campus police also have formed
advisory groups that will meet with the administration to consult on
security issues. The administration also will work to improve emergency
systems to ensure every precaution is taken to prevent further events.

The recent violence reminds students violence can happen on any college
campus but does not necessarily mean campus security and emergency
systems are failing.

At Vanderbilt we have a first-rate police department and extensive
security that we implement every day, and these incidents do not
represent a systemic breakdown in collegiate security, said Michael
Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for public affairs.

“We have a good record for crime prevention despite being in the middle
of a very large city, and our main focus will continue to be to
minimize risk and vulnerability and to ensure that we can respond
swiftly to any emergency that may occur,” Schoenfeld said.

Many students agree with the notion that the incidents on other
campuses were isolated events that do not directly affect Vanderbilt.

“I think at Vanderbilt we just have to be careful and take care of each
other,” said freshman Ben Kahn, “but I think that just because it
happens at two or three other colleges in Tennessee does not mean that
it’s going to happen to us.”

Click here to listen to student comments about university violence.