SUNO ranked #1 in campus safety among Louisiana universities for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, Southern University, New Orleans (SUNO) has been ranked #1 in campus safety with a 98.18 safety rating among Louisiana colleges and universities by StateUniversity.com. The University is ranked #19 in the U.S. by the Web site, up from 20th in 2009. The campus safety report is based on incidents reported by campus safety officials.

SUNO recorded .38 burglaries and 2.27 larceny-theft incidents per 1,000 students. Other categories considered were aggravated assault, arson, forcible rape, murder, robbery, and vehicle theft. According to StateUniversity.com "colleges and universities ranked for campus safety on a scale that accounts for severity of a crime as well as frequency of crime."

SUNO is the highest ranked HBCU in America.

"Of course, this is an honor, but it is also a clear indication that we are serious about our efforts to improve the quality of life throughout the University community," said Victor Ukpolo, chancellor of SUNO. "I congratulate our campus police department on their work and the University community on their dedication to making Southern University at New Orleans a place where students can feel safe to attend classes, study, and excel."

SUNO's chief of police, Ira Thomas, says that reorganization of the SUNO Police Department, enhanced technology, and training for officers have all contributed to the University's continued progress. "We challenged our students, faculty, staff and community to work with us and become our partners in maintaining a safe campus and community and the response has been tremendous," said Thomas, who was hired at SUNO in September, 2009.