University of Missouri president, provost warn students to stay out of part of downtown at night

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri President Mun Choi and Provost Matthew Martens warned students to stay away from an area of downtown at night in an email sent to students on the first day of classes.

"Incidents downtown typically occur between midnight and 3 a.m.; make sure you’re home safely before then," the officials wrote in the message Monday.

The message was also posted online under the heading "Welcome to a historic new year at Mizzou!"

The warning comes after a shots-fired incident and a large street brawl downtown over the summer, when most students were away on summer break.

Both incidents happened near East Walnut and Ninth streets, which is an area that Choi and Martens warned students about in their email.

"Some areas of downtown Columbia should be avoided at night, specifically sections of Walnut Street between 8th and 10th streets," the email reads.

Choi has demanded increased downtown safety from Columbia leaders since a Stephens College student was shot and killed on Broadway -- the heart of downtown Columbia -- nearly a year ago.

The email also touts the work of MU's safety collaboration with the Columbia Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. According to the email, the partnerships are increasing patrols and supporting safety measures in downtown and surrounding areas.

Thousands of students come to Columbia every year. The university reported a total student enrollment of 31,650 and over 9,000 new students on the first day.

The school year also started with a serious accident on Sunday. A former MU student fell off Harpo's rooftop bar, an establishment popular with students. Corbin Rodenberg, 21, is in critical condition.

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