Cabot House Superintendent Gene G. Ketelhohn said there are emergency plans in the event of a necessary evacuation, but that in the meantime students should be as alert as HUPD.

“The security guards will be extra vigilant, and students should have the same kind of concern,” Ketelhohn said.

He emphasized the importance of questioning those who enter Houses without Harvard ID and instructed students to avoid allowing “piggybacking”—letting individuals enter behind students who have already swiped.

Paul J. Hegarty, Leverett House superintendent, agreed that awareness is key to student safety.

“This is a time when nothing can be taken for chance. We’re taking [the alert] very seriously,” Hegarty said. I’m not going to live in fear, but I try to be safe and aware.”

Both superintendents said that if students notice luggage or suspicious packages left around campus, they should report it immediately to HUPD.

“One thing that students can do is to educate themselves about the issues of preparedness and planning,” said Catalano.

Catalano said students can consult the Department of Homeland Security’s Website to find out “how to be more prepared and how to deal with these difficult times.”

In addition buying duct tape and plastic sheeting, the Department of Homeland Security recommends assembling a disaster kit that contains a battery-powered radio, a first-aid kit, batteries, nonperishable food and water.

Other colleges have increased their security in response to the FBI warning. Princeton University issued a statement on their Web site, and Syracuse University plans to carefully patrol a football game against Notre Dame tomorrow that will attract more then 30,000 fans.

—Staff writer Hana R. Alberts can be reached at alberts@fas.harvard.edu.