As the city continues its wide-spread preparations for the Democratic National Convention, students at Northeastern will notice little change on campus, said James Ferrier, the associate director of public safety.
“Students should anticipate no disruption of normal campus activities,” Ferrier said. “There is no cause for interference with any services.”
Security plans have been a collaborative effort between federal, state, city and private agencies, Ferrier said.
“Some personnel involved are city police, some are university police, but both will be providing the same level of security on campus,” he said.
Northeastern has been working closely in conjunction with the city of Boston to ensure the week of the DNC goes smoothly, said Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier.
“We will be coordinating our plans with the city’s plans,” Klotzbier said. “We are in the loop with concerns related to the convention on campus.”
The Boston Police Department has not specified any plans, but spokeswoman Nadine Taylor-Miller said there will be an increased presence of BPD officers on Northeastern’s campus.
“I think they’re taking national security measures and they won’t overlook us here at Northeastern,” said Kristy Goodall, a senior business major.
Ferrier also said although there has been no direct terrorist threat toward the convention or any venue associated with the convention, a multi-agency emergency response plan is in place.
“If anything is going to happen, it won’t happen at a locale like this,” said Dominca Nichols, a junior biology major. “It will happen downtown.”
Though much of the DNC events will be concentrated in and around the FleetCenter, the reach of the DNC will be seen at Northeastern. The campus will be housing delegates from Montana and hosting a party for Florida delegates in the Curry Student Center as well as holding a press conference in the Raytheon Amph-itheater.
“We’re going to have a [staff] adjustment in food court operation because most employees live on the east side of town,” said Associate Director of the Student Center Bob Grier, “but I want to maintain as much service as I can.”
Grier did point out some changes in security in the student center, such as increases in security, heightened supervision and staff awareness and limited access, but he said, “Students shouldn’t see changes in student center operation.”
Some students on campus still question whether there is a big security issue in the city at all for the event.
“I don’t think anything bad is going to happen,” said Jenny Marks, a senior biology major. “After seeing Fahrenheit 9/11, I think it’s all bogus.”
Jenn Siteman, a senior pharmacy major, said she believes the heightened tension surrounding the event is an effect of the terrorist attacks of 2001.
“If not for [September 11], I wouldn’t even think of it,” Siteman said. “But it’s good to be aware of what’s going on and to be aware of your surroundings.”
Whether students believe they are at risk of a terrorist attack or not, the security measures that are in place at Northeastern should not disrupt normal student life on campus.
“For students at Northeastern, except for some small parties for delegates, most students wouldn’t know the convention was even in town,” Klotzbier said.
