Annie Le slaying has local campuses eyeing security

Though the killing of a Yale University graduate student on campus had not prompted any calls of concern from parents or students, some Long Island college officials said they would likely review security procedures.

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"What happened at Yale University is tragic but is still being investigated," said Gene Palma, executive director of public safety and transportation at Adelphi University in Garden City. "As the details become public, we will continue to review our own safety initiatives and adjust them accordingly, if necessary."

Although "we haven't really had any reaction to the Yale murder," Kathy Coley, spokeswoman for Farmingdale State College, said ". . . we are continually looking at our safety measures."

The Yale slaying brings college security to the fore yet again, nearly 21/2 years after a mentally ill student at Virginia Tech killed 32 students and professors, then himself.

Officials at several Long Island colleges said Monday they regularly discuss safety issues with students.

"This is actually the time of year where it's predominately top of mind because people are coming back to us," said Michael Kinane, spokesman for SUNY Old Westbury, referring to the start of the fall semester. He said the college's residential life staff discusses safety with students "on a recurring basis."

News reports have said that Annie Le, the Yale student, was last seen on a video surveillance camera entering a campus building that required a security swipe card for admittance, officials said. Such cards are commonplace at many Long Island campuses. In addition, several Long Island campuses use video surveillance cameras in dormitories and academic buildings, particularly research labs.

Kali Chan, a spokeswoman for Adelphi University, said officials try to impress on students the dangers of holding open doors where access is supposed to be limited to people with security swipe cards.

Stony Brook University posts signs on the exterior of all 55 residence halls. The signs, said university spokeswoman Lauren Sheprow, say "Safety starts at this door. Please don't prop."

John J. Enright, chief security officer for Firestorm Solutions LLC, a security consulting firm based in Roswell, Ga., and Golden, Colo., said "swipe card technology is absolutely the best practice in the industry, no question about it."

But Enright noted any effective program must make clear how students and teachers can report concerns and have an administration that follows up on those concerns.

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