What happened at Delaware State's budget hearing? Get caught up

Weeks after a protest brought hundreds of students out of class, calling for better campus security and improved handling of sexual assault cases — some Delaware State students stepped up to a different Dover platform.

Thursday afternoon, they spoke on accountability in a hearing room of Legislative Hall.

Unrest on campus has persisted after the Jan. 18 protest, with hours of closed town halls and other meetings. So as the university's response rolls out, this public budget hearing couldn't be business as usual.

"Economically, we talk about the success metrics," said Melanie Jimmerson, the sophomore's voice filling the Joint Finance Committee floor and horseshoe of listening Delaware lawmakers during public comment. She spoke of the rise in enrollment that administration had presented just moments earlier, as planning for the next fiscal year's spending continued.

"The security measures that we would like to have increased on our campus," Jimmerson continued, "is to further have main campus and downtown campus be protected to produce these very success metrics that DSU uses for these budget hearings."

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Student organizers told lawmakers attention is needed at home, before Delaware State can support more growth. When public comment opened just after 1 p.m., Jimmerson and other speakers echoed demands that Delaware State direct more resources to student support and increased safety.

Speakers called for more security across main campus and DSU Downtown; education and awareness programs across the university and police; and increased counselors and experts available to students. They also called for facility improvements, noting struggles with water and building security.

Students echoed their demands for Delaware State to “fortify the integrity” of its Title IX process — increasing trust and transparency — by noting cases can only be treated as time-sensitive if enough resources are present.

"I believe there needs to be a reallocation of funds to be put toward more resources and infrastructure at DSU," said fellow student speaker, Micaih Lloyd.

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Before this hearing could even start, Rep. William Carson noted the meeting was "not for social issues" as the chairmen told his committee to break for lunch.

However, University President Tony Allen would take roughly five minutes of his presentation to speak on the unrest directly.

"I'm proud of my students. They're raising serious concern that not only affects Delaware State, but affects colleges and campuses throughout the country," he said. Allen told the committee he has heard his students.

The president continued, again outlining the scaffolding of his response beginning to take shape. Chief among them included a coming "Safe Space Coalition" made of student committees, parents and administrators to assess existing protocol on safety and sexual assault and send new recommendations to his office. This joined upgrades to campus safety like lighting, cameras and escort services.

Then, he began typical slides of presentation for his budgetary requests — taking particular note to the growth of the Delaware HBCU. His address was at times interrupted with "Are they protected?" and other comments from the public gallery.

As questions later came from lawmakers, Sen. David Lawson noted crime statistics have been known to affect enrollment. The committee member asked Allen if he expects impact from recent challenges on applications or donations.

"I am hoping not," Allen said. "But my real intention is to lean in on this issue."

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Lawson added to his line of questioning.

"I think safety on that campus, across the board, is a fiscal issue," he said, pressing that his committee can help. "And I think it is something that needs to be addressed."

Student organizers say all that's left is to watch for real progress on their campus. University response touches on many student demands with broad strokes, but looking ahead, they've discussed demonstrations during student tours or boycotting campus services like dining halls, stores and sports if action lacks.

The finance committee shuffled onto its next hearing for the University of Delaware by about 2 p.m., as a month of such fiscal discussion is set to continue in Dover.

Have a story to share? Kelly Powers is a culture reporter for the How We Live team — covering race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (484) 466-9121, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Delaware State's budget hearing focuses on safety, security