Several student organizations held a protest Thursday evening at Longwood University in reference to the aftermath of a Jan. 27 incident in which a man carrying a weapon was reported at Longwood Village, an off-campus student housing community.

The incident was addressed to students in an alert the next evening, Jan. 28.

Students gathered outside Lankford Hall, holding signs and expressing concern that the student body was not properly communicated with about the incident.

Associate Director of Communications Matthew McWilliams, University’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Larissa Smith Ferguson and students spoke with one another during the Thursday protest.

McWilliams, in a statement Thursday night, said the university is taking steps to address the questions raised as a result of the incident.

“Longwood University takes campus security extremely seriously and works hard to make necessary improvements to keep our students safe,” McWilliams said. “Two weeks ago in a town hall meeting we heard student concerns and answered questions, and have already started to implement suggestions that students proposed. We heard further concerns this evening. We of course encourage students to raise their voices when they have concerns or questions, and we will continue to listen when they do.”

The protest follows a Feb. 13 campus safety panel organized by the Longwood Student Government Association that featured Longwood panel members McWilliams, Longwood University Police Department Chief Bob Beach, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson and Associate Dean of Conduct & Integrity Jennifer Fraley. The panel members said the investigation and protocol by police, and the fact that Malcolm Deon Leviege was away from Longwood Village when police responded, determined when the alert was sent and that the situation, according to police, was not considered an immediate or imminent threat.

There was concern following the campus safety town hall from students that more concrete steps need to be taken in order to strengthen communication between the student body and police and administration.

Destanie Smith, president of the university’s Black Student Association, said the Thursday protest was meant to express to the university that students still had concerns and still needed answers.

“The goal is to let our voices be heard,” Smith said about the protest. “What had happened with the students Jan. 27 was not OK.”

The protest was organized in collaboration with several student organizations that included Student Diversity and Inclusion Council, the Hispanic Latino Association, the Jewish Culture Club and the Longwood chapter of the NAACP among other organizations.

Leviege, identified as the suspect in the Jan. 27 incident, had a hearing with the Prince Edward County General District Court Feb. 26. His case was continued to March 26.

Leviege faces charges of brandishing a firearm 3+ offense and assault and battery issued Jan. 27. He also has a charge of violation of a protective order from an incident that was reported Feb. 20.

Joshua Darst, president of the Student Government Association at Longwood, commended the dialogue that took place Thursday.

“Students fighting for what they believe in is essential to innovation within the Longwood Community,” Darst said in a statement. “I commend their courage and look forward to making campus a safer place with them.”