Police Procedures

Law enforcement officials say they are not taking the possibility of terrorist activity lightly and have set procedures for dealing with bomb threats.

According to Murphy, Harvard takes every bomb scare seriously and responds to each one however it is necessary.

"The procedures we use vary," he says. "We notify the administrator of that facility, be it an administration building, classroom etc. We take all information we can and go from there. It may be a situation where we ask people clear area so the place can be searched by technician or whatever."

Most often, the aid of local or state authorities is then enlisted. According to Sgt. Larry Gillis, the public information officer for the Massachusetts State Police, the state has well-developed techniques to react to terrorist attacks or threats but can do little to prevent them.

"We're prepared to respond on a reactionary basis," Gillis says. "If we receive information that there is the possibility of a terrorist attack, we can do something, but as far as preventing a sneak attack, it's very difficult."

The preparedness of police for attacks has risen in recent years because the increased availability of bomb-making materials and information has been on the rise, Gillis says.

Most often the bomb threats don't pan out, he says, but each one has to be taken seriously.

"If they can pick a high-profile target that can make the public aware of whatever their cause might by, they'll use anything as an attack. There's no place that would be completely invulnerable. It's the idea of terrorism to spread fear," Gillis says.

According to Geneiris, the FBI is prepared to work with local and campus police forces in the event of a terrorist attack on a university.

"We have very good liaisons with all of the university police departments throughout our territory," Geneiris said.

The FBI often works with universities when foreign dignitaries or VIPs visit campus, he says.

Could It Happen Here?

While it may be difficult to predict the possible targets of terrorism, the consensus among experts and law enforcement officials is that the upswing in terrorist activity in the United States means that nowhere is perfectly safe.

Still, Harvard faculty and administrators, by and large, say they are not worried about the possibility