Knight Ridder TribuneThe al Qaeda terrorist organization is eyeing colleges and other poorly defended population centers as possible targets of future attacks, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III made the announcement Tuesday in a session before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Recent strikes in Bali and Kuwait that have killed dozens and hundreds of people with each operation reflect the increasing value the al Qaeda network has placed on smaller attacks which have greater chances of success. These strikes represent the kind of attack that might be possible on a college campus.
Colleges not only sponsor large sporting events and house the ingredients for biological and chemical weapons, but several universities also have nuclear reactors on their campuses. As a result, these sites have increased appeal for possible terrorist activity.
Since September 11, most colleges and universities have openly discussed their susceptibility to possible attack. Sheldon E. Steinbach, the vice president and general counsel for the American Council on Education, told the Chronicle of Higher Education, “Almost all institutions have taken reasonable precautions to heighten security at sensitive facilities and events.”
Washington University, like many other universities, is aware of the potential threat and has taken measures to try to prevent danger on campus.
WU Chief of Police Don Strom said he is in regular contact with the FBI and received a briefing Saturday discussing the possible threats.
“There have been no indicated intents that our campus is being targeted in any way,” said Strom. “But we’re very in-tune. We’ve been talking to our officers, and they are being alert of things that are suspicious or out of the ordinary in any way.”
Strom also said that WU students have no need to be alarmed.
“What the FBI director is saying is that shopping centers, schools, and anything that is a population center could be a possible target,” said Strom. “People throughout the United States are concerned, but there is no reason for [WU students] to be more concerned than people anywhere else in the U.S.”
Some students seem to be taking Strom’s advice.
“Sometimes, a little fear is healthy, but you can’t live your life paranoid,” said freshman Rachel Simpson. “I refuse to live my life in a state of constant terror.”
Other students doubted the validity of the FBI’s statements.
“I think it’s propaganda to raise fear in our country to let our government do what they want to do with international policy,” said sophomore Danielle Silper.
Freshman Karl Aanning also voiced concern about the FBI’s intentions. “I think that it’s trying to infuse a heightened sense of patriotism that is unfounded,” he said. “Although we are targets, it doesn’t mean that we have to act like targets. We need to pay attention to the situation and better the situation by bettering ourselves.”