South Carolina State University opened job applications for its chief of campus police after an on-campus shooting earlier in February in which two people died and one person was injured.
President Alexander Conyers confirmed the search at the university's Thursday morning board of trustees meeting. The job listing, which was posted to the university's career page and HigherEdJobs.com, already has five applicants, according to Conyers. The job was posted to the websites Feb. 19.
Conyers, as he had in previous public appearances following the shooting, called the event tragic and committed to a ramp-up in campus safety measures. The school had already updated visitation and room inspection rules. Conyers and the board said trees would be moved for improved camera views and that the university has hired a new senior executive director of public safety and emergency management.
The fate of Richard Johnson, school police chief, was not disclosed.
School faculty had sent a letter to Conyers following the shooting. Staff demanded Johnson's termination and the termination of School Vice President for Finance and Operations Gerald Smalls. For now, Smalls will remain in his position.
Director of University Relations Sam Watson said, "I cannot comment on personnel matters," when asked about the decision to seek a new campus police chief. The decision was never explicitly tied to the Feb. 12 shooting at the Hugine Suites student housing complex. And when asked for confirmation on the job search, Watson simply said, "The position is posted on the university's website."
