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The
university will provide regular updates here, by phone
on
the UK Infoline (257-5684), and on UK Cable TV Channel
16.
The Department of Homeland Security
has lowered the National Threat Advisory Level to
an elevated risk of terrorist attack or "yellow"
level.
This is the level that the nation was operating under
prior to military action is Iraq.
If you need further information, please call Stephanie
Bastin at 257-5770, extension 232 or refer to http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
MEMO TO: Residence Hall Students
FROM: The Offices of Residence Life and Housing
Several weeks ago the FBI identified colleges and
universities as “soft targets” for terrorist
activities. Last week, the UK Police Department was
advised by the Lexington Joint Terrorism Task Force
to restrict access to buildings that are not regularly
opened to the public or students and allow admission
by ID only. As a result, UKPD recommended that the
UK residence halls change to a controlled access policy
for the foreseeable future. This policy, which was
widely advertised and discussed this week, was implemented
this past Wednesday in orderto provide the security
required by the Task Force’s recommendation..
Since the announcement and implementation of the
new policy, we have received feedback from numerous
students affected by the policy. We have consulted
with students, , and held an open forum this past
Wednesday night. We also received feedback from students
through emails and from staff working in the halls.
As a result of this feedback, we went back to the
Lexington Joint Terrorism Task Force and proposed
an alternative to the original policy that we believed
would still meet the level of security recommended
by the Task Force. The Task Force has concurred with
this revised policy, so the University will be moving
ahead with its implementation.
Therefore, effective Friday, March 28, access to
all campus residence halls will be permitted not only
to UK and LCC students and their families, but also
to other visitors accompanied by UK students living
in the residence hall who have a current, picture
I.D. card, such as a driver’s license. All UK
students and their guests will be asked to show their
picture ID cards upon entry to any campus residence
hall. As before, guests will be required to leave
their I.D. at the front desk and be escorted by their
host at all times while in the building. UK faculty
and staff will be asked to show their UKID card and
another form of government issued picture identification
upon entry to the residence halls. Students are encouraged
to carry their UK ID with them at all times on campus.
In addition, we will continue to provide extra staff
coverage at many of the desks to assist with monitoring
the check-in process.
Although this policy is very similar to the one that
was in place before the war and heightened terrorist
threat in this country, our expectation is that student
cooperation with and adherence to the policy will
be at an even higher level than before. We believe
that a less restrictive policy with greater student
buy-in will provide a higher level of security than
a more restrictive policy with little student buy-in.
Please, only check-in visitors you know well, stay
with them at all times while they are in the building,
and cooperate byproviding valid identification when
asked.
We anticipate that this level of coverage will be
in place until the end of the academic year or until
UK is advised that there is no need for this level
of coverage, whichever is sooner. At the end of the
academic year, we will revisit this issue with law
enforcement officials to determine whether it should
be continued.
Security is everyone's responsibility. Everyone is
a security expert; treat the UK campus as you would
your home. If there is someone unusual in your area,
call the UK Police, 257-1617. If you see what you
consider unusual activity, call the UK Police. Thank
you and best wishes. (04/01/2003 1:00 p.m.)
University of Kentucky Chandler
Medical Center officials would like to reassure patients
and their families during these uncertain times. Medical
Center officials have plans in place to protect patients,
their family and visitors, as well as students, staff
and faculty in this time of uncertainty. UK Hospital
has implemented a perimeter security system, limiting
access to public entrances. Parking has been restricted
on the front loop of UK Hospital. Additional security
measures also are in place. If you are asked by security
to implement additional measures, please comply. The
Medical Center also has plans in place in case of
biological or chemical terrorism. In the event of
such instances, a shelter-in-place plan will be implemented.
All air-intake will be closed and entrances will be
locked in medical center buildings. UK Hospital is
in the process of vaccinating volunteers who will
serve on smallpox response teams in case of an outbreak
caused by bioterrorism. Additional contingency plans
have been developed to respond to additional terrorist
threats. (04/01/2003 1:00 p.m.)
In accordance with FBI and Dept.
of Homeland Security request for vigilance with regard
to "out of the ordinary" activity, UK Police
ask you to be aware of the following signs of terrorist
activity:
- Someone bragging or talking about plans to harm
citizens in violent attacks or who claims membership
in a terrorist organization that espouses killing
innocent people.
- Suspicious packages, luggage, backpacks, or mail
that have been abandoned in a crowded place like
an office building, cafeteria, library, airport,
shopping mall, etc.
- Suspicious letter or unexpected package that arrives.
- Someone suspiciously existing in a secured area
near a train or bus depot, airport, tunnel, bridge,
government building or tourist attraction.
- Any type of activity or circumstance that seems
frightening or unusual within the normal routines
of your neighborhood, community and/or workplace.
- Someone unfamiliar loitering in a parking lot,
government building, or around a school or playground.
- Someone using or threatening to use a gun or other
weapon, place a bomb, or release poisonous substance
into the air, water or food supply.
- Strange odors, smoke, fire or an explosion.
- Abandoned vehicles, or vehicles in areas where
they are not accustomed to being.
The University Police are taking precautions ot provide
for your safety, but we need your assistance. Call
257-1616 or dial 911
to report any of the above or anything else you feel
is "just not right". (03/38/2003 12:30 p.m.)
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