“We are grateful for your patience, your help, and your understanding as we manage services in this quickly changing environment,” Hammonds wrote. “The experience of today, though difficult, has demonstrated the kind and compassionate nature of our community. Please stay safe and support one another. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.”
4:32 p.m., 4/19/13 In an email to the Harvard community sent around 4 p.m., Executive Vice President Katie N. Lapp urged students to remain inside as law enforcement continues its active manhunt for a suspected Boston Marathon bomber.
She wrote that police intend to conduct controlled explosions sometime this afternoon at the suspect’s Norfolk Street home in central Cambridge. When those explosions might occur is unknown, she added, so law enforcement have reiterated the importance for Cambridge residents to stay inside.
“We recognize it may be difficult to continue to stay indoors right now and some may be thinking about going outside after what has been a very difficult and challenging few days,” Lapp wrote. “But the events of recent days also remind us that authorities are working around the clock to find this suspect and protect public safety, and I urge you to please follow their guidance to remain inside as this manhunt continues.”
Lapp also wrote the HUPD remains on "Significantly heightened security presence.”
3:53 p.m., 4/19/13 Though Cambridge is still officially on lockdown and most area businesses remain closed at the request of Governor Deval L. Patrick ’78, foot traffic in the Harvard Square area has picked up significantly as the afternoon has worn on.
Most remain inside, but small groups of Cambridge residents and Harvard affiliates are now venturing across campus and through the area. Most outside police presence has been limited to Watertown, where the at-large gunman is thought to be in hiding. The suspect’s home in central Cambridge remains under close surveillance by local, state, and federal law enforcement.
2:48 p.m., 4/19/13 Our reporters are on the scene at Norfolk Street in Cambridge, where police are investigating the home where the Boston Marathon bombing suspects recently lived. Follow @syweinstock and @JustinWorland for updates.
2:29 p.m., 4/19/13 John “Jay” L. Ellison, who manages campus security in his capacity as associate dean of the College, has sent an email to undergraduates announcing that "Harvard College has cancelled Visitas programming this weekend and organizers are working with impacted students and their families." Read the full story here.
1:40 p.m., 4/19/13 Freshmen in Annenberg dining hall offer a standing ovation to Harvard University Dining Services workers, who came to work despite the ongoing lockdown in the greater Boston area. Watch the video on The Harvard Crimson's YouTube channel.
12:33 p.m., 4/19/13 Crimson reporters are continuing to monitor the developing situation in the greater Boston area through Twitter. Follow @MattClarida, @MadelineRConway, @npfandos, @jared_lucky, @dev_a_patel, @syweinstock, and @thecrimson for updates.
11:49 a.m., 4/19/13 A Harvard official confirmed that Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, a resident of Cambridge, worked at Harvard as a lifeguard as recently as the summer of 2012. Tsarnaev did not have access to Harvard facilities through an ID while working as a temporary employee, according to the official. The University has shared all information it has with law enforcement officials, the official said.
10:52 a.m., 4/19/13 Harvard Law School's Spring Reunion weekend has been cancelled, according to Law School Spokesperson Robb London. A decision on whether the Law School will cancel its admitted students weekend is expected around 12 p.m.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
CORRECTION: April 23, 2013
An earlier version of this article misquoted Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons '67 as saying prospective freshmen may need more information "from either students and faculty" in the coming days. In fact, Fitzsimmons said these admitted students could need more information "from either students or faculty."