The Office of Public Safety announced temporary “security enhancements” for buildings on the Medford/Somerville and Grafton campuses in an email to the Tufts community Monday afternoon. These changes follow an active shooter incident at Brown University on Saturday that resulted in the deaths of two students and the hospitalization of nine others.
On the Medford/Somerville campus, buildings will be restricted to card access at least through Thursday. For buildings that do not have card-access capability, public safety staff will be stationed at main entrances.
“Buildings that were already card-access, such as residence halls, will remain so after December 18,” the email, attributed to Yolanda Smith, associate vice president of public safety and chief of police, stated.
The email also announced that Tufts University Police will increase patrols on the Grafton campus.
In a statement to the Daily, Smith did not specify which buildings would be limited by card-access.
“For security reasons, we will not be providing a list of which buildings will be card accessed,” Smith wrote. “We are always reviewing our security procedures to ensure the safety of our community and will continue to do so into the new year. Grafton will have limited access but will remain accessible.”
Since the Health Sciences and School of the Museum of Fine Arts campuses in Boston already operate under card-access restrictions, Public Safety stated that no further changes will be implemented at those locations.
Public Safety also instructed community members not to hold doors open for unknown individuals, to report suspicious activity to TUPD and to carry Tufts ID cards at all times for building access.
In the email, Public Safety reiterated Tufts’ commitment to campus safety.
“Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. Tufts Public Safety remains alert and vigilant, monitoring all campuses and following robust protocols to keep our community safe. We appreciate your partnership in these efforts,” the email stated.
Several universities across the country, including Harvard University, have implemented campus access restrictions in response to Saturday’s shooting.
