Violence, safety concerns during alumni weekend prompt EWU to tighten event rules

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Edward Waters University (EWU) is taking immediate action following a series of incidents during Alumni Weekend in early April, announcing that informal, unsanctioned spring alumni gatherings on campus will no longer be permitted.

In a letter to the campus community, the Edward Waters University Administration cited multiple physically violent altercations involving alumni and currently enrolled students, as well as the recovery of weapons, as the driving forces behind the decision. The presence of alcohol on campus — a violation of University policy and applicable local law — was also identified as a contributing factor.

“The safety and well-being of students is, and will remain, the University’s highest priority,” the administration wrote in the address. “When that safety is compromised by anyone under any circumstances, the University will act decisively.”

The informal spring gathering tradition has been a staple of campus life for years, honored annually under the current administration, but going forward, large-scale events at the institution are required to get approval and follow the university’s safety processes.

A new standard for campus events

Going forward, organizations or groups seeking to gather on campus in large numbers must submit formal requests and adhere to all applicable space rental, staffing and security requirements.

The administration acknowledged the weight of the decision, noting it “is not made lightly,” but emphasized that the incidents reflect both a serious safety concern and the operational realities the University faces when hosting large, unplanned gatherings.

EWU noted that it already makes “significant, intentional investments” to support alumni engagement at officially sanctioned events such as Homecoming, including enhanced security, structured programming and coordinated planning.

Alumni still welcome — with structure

The University was clear that alumni remain a valued part of the EWU community, but stressed that large-scale engagement must occur within a framework the institution can safely support.

“The University will not assume that level of risk or expense for events that are not formally organized, approved, and managed by the institution,” the letter stated.

Alumni are strongly encouraged to return to campus during Fall homecoming and other University-sponsored events, where the administration says it is “fully prepared to host accordingly.”

The letter closed with a message of shared responsibility: “Edward Waters University belongs to all of us. That shared ownership must be reflected not only in presence, but in conduct and respect for the campus.”

Additional guidance on the process for submitting future campus space and event requests is expected to be released soon.