“Be Out Day” lacks security to Florida A&M students

by Jordan Culver

Students were surprised Saturday to learn the Florida A&M’s annual Orange and Green football game would not be played alongside “Be Out Day.”The festivities usually run alongside each other, however this year, both the school and FAMU’s Police Department decided it would be more efficient to staff if both events ran separately.The main issue was one of security. Be Out Day is an annual event held typically the firstSaturday of April by the university that has been going on for more than 15 years. Last year, two fights broke out, prompting a higher security standard.The university heightened security following the shooting of a football player. A stray bullet from a confrontation between two men struck freshman Lavante Page. The gunman, a 17-year-old, was not a student at FAMU.Saturday’s game was sufficiently staffed with no instances of violence. FAMUPD staff members were on the field and in the stands making sure the first game of the new year was a smooth one.Dean Kirby, the dean of student activities, said the days were separated in order to give student government sufficient time to coordinate the event.“It had nothing to do with the budget,” Kirby said.“Student government came to us and asked for additional time to plan a successful Be Out Day. We wanted to make sure Be Out Day was the best that it could be so we gave them additional time.”Students were neutral about the decision hold Be Out Day on a separate day, and emphasized their hopes that the day would run smoothly.“I mean, I guess it’s nice to feel safe,” Annette Johnson, a 20-year-old from West Palm Beach. “I don’t know why it wasn’t possible to just do both events at once but I’m not going to complain either.”The increased security will ensure less incidences occur.“I just want to be able to go out and enjoy my day without all the foolishness,” Johnson said. “If that means holding events on separate days then oh well.It’ll give me something to do for two weeks in a row. Be Out Day will be held at 12 p.m. this Saturday at FAMU Park.