UGA students see safety enhancements after Laken Riley slaying
ATHENS, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Fall classes got underway Wednesday at several Georgia colleges, and returning University of Georgia students are noticing safety enhancements.
The university invested $7.3 million this year in safety enhancements, including better lighting, license plate readers, 15 camera-protected emergency call stations, and new security fencing.
The changes follow the murder of Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley on campus in February, a case that shocked the Athens community and gained national attention.
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Junior Ella Wiseman is glad to hear about the new campus ambassador program that lets her request an escort after-hours so she won’t have to walk alone.
“I have a class that like ends at 5:30,” said Wiseman, “and so when it’s like dark outside in the winter, that might be nice.”
“What I want people to do is be confident that the university puts a lot of focus on this area and know that behind the scenes there’s a lot going on but they’re going to see evidence of it too,” said Daniel Silk, UGA’s associate vice president of campus safety.
Man accused of killing Kennesaw State student hit with additional charges
A Cobb County grand jury has handed down a six-count indictment against the man accused of shooting and killing a Kennesaw State University student in May.
UGA students, parents, faculty and staff are also encouraged to sign up for the UGA Safe App, which includes a series of robust security features and emergency notifications from UGA police, according to the university.
Class of 2028
Out of more than 43,000 applicants, 6,175 were chosen for the Class of 2028, the school announced. About 80% are Georgia residents, while 25% are first-generation students.
UGA said the incoming class’s average weighted grade-point average was 4.13, while the average SAT score was 1337 and the average ACT score was 30.
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