Prior Alerts

Prior, alerts, announcements and messages from the chancellor regarding recent university events can be found below. Please see our alerts page, for messages of immediate concern.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 3:07 p.m. / Chancellor's Message:

BraveNation,

Earlier today, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) released that charges have been brought against 22-year-old Kendell T. Brown in connection to the Feb. 7 shooting at Courtyard Apartments, which resulted in the death of Khalil Alford.

Brown is not a UNCP student, and authorities say this was an isolated incident that poses no ongoing threat to our campus or the surrounding community. We are grateful to the work of law enforcement for their diligence and attention to this case as it continues. Should any subsequent updates become available, they will be released by the SBI.

I understand there will be a range of emotions throughout our campus community. It's important during this time to approach conversations and each other with empathy and respect. Let’s continue to remember and support the families and friends personally affected by this tragedy.

BraveNation is a strong and caring community. I encourage you to reach out if you need support and check on those around you. Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is available for students. You can visit in person, located on the second floor of the Brave Health Center, or call 910.521.6202 to schedule an appointment. In addition, there is a 24-hour crisis line available by calling 910.775.4749. Employees should contact the Employee Assistance Program or the Headspace Care App.

This past week has been challenging for our university, but I am immensely proud of the support I’ve seen demonstrated for each other and the collective commitment to ensuring UNCP is a safe space for our students, faculty, and staff to learn, work and grow. Hearing and understanding the concerns of our campus community is how we make that possible. As such, university administration will continue to join and engage in conversations, beginning with our on-campus shared governance groups.

Campus leaders will be present at today’s SGA meeting at 5:15 p.m. in James A. Thomas Hall, Room 130. Likewise, in the coming weeks, we will be in touch with Faculty Senate and Staff Senate leadership to make plans to join their upcoming full meetings. We will continue to review and assess the measures we have in place, both internally and with an external consultant, to identify areas where additional measures can be implemented.

Campus safety is a shared responsibility. If at any time you observe activity that appears suspicious, unusual, or concerning, please don't hesitate to report it to Campus Police and Public Safety immediately or through the LiveSafe app. Violence on our campus is unacceptable, and we will ensure anyone involved in such acts is handled appropriately.

Remember, you are part of an incredible and proud community. We will not be defined by this. BraveNation is resilient, and together, we will emerge even stronger than before.

Sincerely,

Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Chancellor

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Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 12:47 p.m. / Chancellor's Message:

BraveNation,

I know many of us are still working through grief and emotions and have questions regarding the shooting incident at Courtyard Apartments last week.

The SBI continues its investigation and will release details as the case evolves and permits. As this investigation is not being led by our campus, the university is likely to receive updates along with the public. Please know, based on the preliminary investigation and information gathered, it remains this appears to be an isolated incident and we are assured there is no ongoing risk.

As Braves, we support each other through challenging times. If you are concerned about a peer or colleague and unsure how to help, I encourage you to submit a student CARE Report or an employee concern report so the individual can be reached.

It’s also important that you have support should you need it. Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is available for students. You can visit in person, located on the second floor of the Brave Health Center, or call 910.521.6202 to schedule an appointment. In addition, there is a 24-hour crisis line at 910.775.4749. Employees should contact the Employee Assistance Program or the Headspace Care App.

To bring our campus community together, SGA plans to host a candlelight vigil for Khalil this evening at 6 p.m. in front of Old Main. In addition, university administration will be present at SGA’s weekly meeting tomorrow, at 5:15 p.m. in James A. Thomas Hall Room 130, to speak and hear concerns. Likewise, in the coming weeks, we will be in touch with Faculty Senate and Staff Senate leadership to discuss opportunities to join their full meetings and participate in open conversation. As mentioned last week, active efforts are underway to engage an external consultant to review our alert system and procedures to determine where additional improvements can be made.

Sincerely,

Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Chancellor

Friday, February 9, 2024, 10:08 a.m. / Chancellor's Message:

BraveNation,

As the investigation into Wednesday’s incident at Courtyard Apartments is still ongoing, we are limited in many details to share. I know we all still have questions, and we will share and provide details as they become available.

Today and perhaps through the weekend, you will continue to see officers from our sister institutions on campus to provide support and allow our officers to focus on the investigation. We often extend this courtesy to our fellow System universities during challenging times, and it is a support system that we all greatly appreciate.

As a reminder, there are additional resources available to you today, and I encourage you to reach out:

Students:

The mobile crisis unit will be on-site at the UC Annex today, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Licensed clinicians will be available. There is no charge for these counseling services, and your insurance will not be billed. No appointment is needed.
In partnership with the UNC System, virtual counseling services will be available today, February 9, until 3 p.m., via the following Zoom link information:

https://zoom.us/j/94658814962

Dial in: +1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 946 5881 4962
Please contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at 910.521.6202 to schedule an appointment or visit in person on the second floor of the Brave Health Center. CAPS is available M-F, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crisis services are available in-person or through a 24-hour crisis line at 910.775.4749.

Faculty and staff:

The mobile crisis unit will be on-site at the UC Annex today, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Licensed clinicians will be available. There is no charge for these counseling services, and your insurance will not be billed. No appointment is needed.
Please contact the Employee Assistance Program or the Headspace Care App.

As I mentioned in the email yesterday evening, building a safer, stronger community is essential. A thorough minute-by-minute review of the incident is underway. We have already made efforts to identify areas in the alert system to make immediate improvements. In addition, we will be engaging an external consultant to determine where additional improvements can be made.

In the coming weeks, we will continue to engage in conversations among our campus community to hear your concerns and identify ways to continuously improve our campus safety procedures. As these opportunities are communicated to you, I encourage you to please participate and share your thoughts and suggestions.

Again, I want to reiterate that the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority. If at any time, now or in the future, you observe any activity that appears suspicious, unusual, or concerning, please don't hesitate to report it to Campus Police and Public Safety immediately or through the LiveSafe app.

Sincerely,

Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Chancellor

Thursday, February 8, 2024, 8:54 p.m. / Chancellor's Message:

BraveNation,

We are now able to provide further information, and I’m saddened to share the loss of Khalil Alford as a result of yesterday’s shooting at Courtyard Apartments. Though not currently enrolled, his family indicated he had intentions of returning to his studies in the fall. It pains me deeply to know this opportunity, among many others, has been tragically cut short. I, along with other university leaders, have shared our condolences with his family, and we will continue to keep them in our thoughts, prayers and actions during this difficult time.

Next week, SGA is planning a vigil for Khalil at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13. Location details will be shared by SGA. I encourage you to join, as this is an important way for our community to come together and support one another.

Continuing to build a safer, stronger community is essential, and I have already seen examples of our students, faculty and staff taking action to make this possible. This morning, university leadership met with SGA President Aspen Andersson and the SGA executive leadership team to hear student concerns. Conversations such as these are vital as we work together and identify ways to continuously improve our campus safety procedures.

I want to thank the faculty and staff for working with our students during this challenging time. I appreciate the support and flexibility you provided, allowing us to continue classes and campus events on a regular schedule for those who need routine and normalcy, as well as extending grace to those who may need more time to heal and process.

I want to remind you all of the resources that are available to you, particularly the additional ones available to you tomorrow:

Students:

· The mobile crisis unit will be on-site at the UC Annex again tomorrow, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Licensed clinicians will be available. There is no charge for these counseling services, and your insurance will not be billed. No appointment is needed.

· In partnership with the UNC System, virtual counseling services will be available tomorrow, February 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., via the following Zoom link information:

https://zoom.us/j/94658814962

Dial in: +1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 946 5881 4962

· Please contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at 910.521.6202 to schedule an appointment or visit in person on the second floor of the Brave Health Center. Crisis services are available in-person or through a 24-hour crisis line at 910.775.4749.

Faculty and staff:

· Please contact the Employee Assistance Program or the Headspace Care App.

The State Bureau of Investigation continues to work with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Department and our UNCP Police to gather information on this isolated incident. While the investigation is ongoing, we may be limited in what details we can share, but we will provide as much information as we are able. You and your families can stay up to date by monitoring uncp.edu/alert. We will provide another update tomorrow, February 9, at 9 a.m.

I want to thank our sister universities within the UNC System for sharing a few of their officers with our campus to provide an elevated sense of security while allowing UNCP Police to focus on the ongoing investigation. Additionally, I share my sincere gratitude with sister universities and the UNC System Office for providing additional support in counseling services for our campus community.

Last, I want to reinforce that the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority. If at any time, now or in the future, you observe any activity that appears suspicious, unusual, or concerning, please don't hesitate to report it to Campus Police and Public Safety immediately or through the LiveSafe app. “If you see something, say something.”

Sincerely,

Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Thursday, February 8, 2024/Chancellor's Message:

BraveNation,

Yesterday afternoon, UNCP Police and Public Safety were notified of shots fired at Courtyard Apartments and responded. UNCP Police issued an “all clear” to campus at approximately 5:50 p.m.

First, please know, it remains there is no longer an immediate threat to campus, and all facilities on campus are open and operating as normal. The State Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate and is being assisted by the Robeson County Police Department and UNCP Police.

It's with a heavy heart I share a member of our campus community subsequently died from injuries sustained in the incident. Though not actively enrolled in classes this semester, the victim was a student last semester and will always be considered a member of BraveNation. I hope you will join me in keeping him and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We are waiting for confirmation from authorities before we can share more information.

Like me, I’m sure many of you are devasted by yesterday’s tragic incident. Our campus should be a place where our students feel safe and at home, and anything less is unacceptable. We know this incident has raised safety concerns, and as we always do, we will assess, and we will use that information to improve our service to our campus community.

Our hearts are with the family of our fellow Brave, those who knew him personally and those who are traumatized by this senseless act of violence. Please know if you need support, resources are available to you, and I strongly encourage you to reach out:

Students:

Please contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), located on the second floor of the Brave Health Center. Crisis services are available in person or through a 24-hour crisis line at 910.775.4749.
- The UC Annex will be available today until 2 p.m. for anyone in need of support and community.
- The Cypress Multi-Purpose Room will be available today, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., for residents of Courtyard and Cypress in need of support and community.
- The Pine Multi-Purpose Room will be available today, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., for residents of Pine, Oak, and North in need of support and community.
- Quiet spaces are available in the Counseling Center as well as the Meditation Room on the second floor of the Student Chavis Center
  
  Faculty and staff:
  - Please contact the Employee Assistance Program or the Headspace Care App.

We are a small, tight-knit community and for many of our students the return to class provides a vital sense of normalcy and allows them to be with peers, faculty and staff who they know and trust. I ask that our faculty and staff please be flexible, understanding that some students may not be ready for class and need additional time to process yesterday’s events.

While the investigation is ongoing, we are limited in the details we can share, but will provide as much information as possible when we are able. You can stay up to date by monitoring uncp.edu/alert. Students, I ask that you keep your families informed and let them know they can check our website for the latest updates.

Let’s continue to support each other and strengthen our campus community during this challenging time. Thank you for being part of BraveNation.

Sincerely,

Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Chancellor

Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 10:57 p.m.

BraveNation:

Due to the late hour, this will be tonight’s last update. Further updates on this incident will be communicated tomorrow as more information becomes available.

At approximately 4:43 p.m., UNCP Campus Police responded to an incident of shots fired at Courtyard Apartments. Upon arrival, they did not encounter any shooters but did locate shell casings on the ground.

Shortly thereafter, Robeson County sheriff’s deputies responded to a second incident off campus where they encountered an individual in need of medical care and who later succumbed to their injuries. The Robeson County Sheriff’s office has not released the identity of the individual; however, we have been notified the victim was a former UNCP student.

UNCP Police, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are actively investigating the connection between the two incidents

Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 10:53 p.m.

BraveNation:

Due to the active shooter incident today at Courtyard Apartments and the ongoing investigation, we will be delaying classes tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 8.

Classes will resume at 11 a.m.

Housing and Residence Life will be communicating with impacted students about their needs.

CAPS offers a 24-hour crisis line at 910.775.4749.