By Benjamin Rothstein

DOVER — In the wake of Sunday’s deadly shooting at Delaware State University, which took the life of 18-year-old Camay DeSilva of Wilmington, school officials hosted a student forum Tuesday to speak about worry among community members.

Topics ranged from dorm security to the status of the investigation to mental health suggestions.

A Q&A section was facilitated by the institution’s chief information officer Darrell McMillon, who noted questions in the chat and relayed them to the panel of school administrators.

One attendee asked about residence hall security protocols, as Sunday’s incident took place near the Warren-Franklin Hall dorms.

“The residence hall doors remain in what we call ‘card access mode’ 24/7, which means you have to present a card to the reader outside for the door to open,” replied James Overton, the superintendent of Delaware State’s police department and the vice president of student affairs. This method of entering a dorm is a normal procedure and was in place Sunday.

“If students have a guest during those hours (when) they can have guests, they are to stop at the front desk and register the guest, and the guests will present some identification, so we know who they are.”

Ms. DeSilva was not a university student, and it is unknown if she was registered as a guest in this way.

Mr. Overton also reminded the meeting’s viewers of the blue light phones around campus, which automatically connect any caller to security.

He noted that there have been increased security patrols since Sunday’s shooting. As classes end Thursday for the semester, these precautions will continue during end-of-year celebrations.

“Our partners, the Dover Police Department and the (Delaware) State Police, ... will assist us in securing those events and doing home patrols and walking patrols,” he said.

Others asked about the university’s status as an “open campus.”

“To be clear, on the main campus and at our downtown (Dover) location, that’s 400 acres. Like most other institutions in the country, we are a walkable campus that is, in fact, accessible to the community, but that comes with certain accountabilities on our part and certain protocols,” responded university president Dr. Tony Allen. “There are ways for folks to get on campus.”

He went on to remind students that events must be school-sanctioned and that the institution will not hesitate to break up any that aren’t.

Additionally, the school’s Police Chief Donald Baynard addressed the status of Ms. DeSilva’s case.

“It’s still an ongoing investigation. I’m working closely with the Dover Police Department, who is actually leading this investigation, who’s been doing so since it was reported,” he said. “They bring a wealth of resources to this investigation, as we continue to gather facts and data trying to find those responsible.”

Chief Baynard asks anyone with information to contact Dover police at 302-736-7111 or DSU police at 302-857-7911.

Another part of Tuesday’s meeting focused on mental health tips for the university community.

They included staying hydrated, making sure to eat throughout the day and paying attention to self-care.

“If you don’t have the energy for a full workout, take a walk. Spend time with trusted friends and relatives who are supportive,” said Dr. Michelle Fisher, associate vice president of campus health services. “If you find social media upsetting because of the things that you are watching or reading, consider disconnecting for a few days.”

She also noted the school’s crisis hotline, which can be reached at 855-748-1249.

Meanwhile, a memorial for Ms. DeSilva was erected at Warren-Franklin Hall, complete with messages of remembrance, candles, flowers and stuffed animals.

The recent incident at Delaware State University also came up during a Dover City Council meeting this week.