Following a recent string of terrorist attacks in London, which hosts a Syracuse University Abroad program, university officials said SU is sticking with its current crisis management response plans.

“All SU Abroad students have days and days of orientation to drill protocols,” said Margaret Himley, associate provost of international education and engagement.

After a man attempted to bomb the London Tube earlier this month, SU London office staff asked students to avoid densely populated areas and previous attack sites to avoid unnecessary risk.

More than 50 people were also injured earlier in March after an “Islamist-related” terrorist mowed down pedestrians with a van on the Westminster Bridge, Al Jazeera reported.

The university’s abroad program is no stranger to these types of situations. The office has responded to past terrorist attacks in cities such as Paris and Istanbul.

London is an expected target of terrorism, Himley said, and students are prepared by the school before going abroad.

Student cellphones are the “most important” aspect of safety while abroad, the provost added. All SU students abroad are required to have their phones charged and with them at all times in case of an emergency, Himley said.

SU’s abroad office also partners with International SOS, a global security firm, which assists in crisis prevention.

After an attack, ISOS will report information to the school so officials can contact students immediately, Himley said.

Once the office is notified, Himley said faculty warn and locate all students in a city. Meanwhile, the office will continue to check updates on the situation to warn students of any additional danger.

In an interview last year, Himley said SU Abroad was developing a new international two-way communication platform, similar to an Orange Alert, that could be used in crisis situations.

Anthony Callisto, senior vice president and chief law enforcement officer, said in November 2016 the international Orange Alert equivalent had been tested and would initially be used only for the university’s Florence and London abroad programs.

Jennifer Horvath, the manager of SU Abroad marketing and communications, said she believes terrorism concerns will not compromise London’s abroad program. The university’s Istanbul program was specifically shut down because of political instability in the region.

Following the arrests in the Tube attack, Horvath said the nation’s threat level decreased from critical to severe.

“We always advise people to be alert and avoid situations that put them at risk,” Horvath said.

Published on September 26, 2017 at 12:31 am

Contact Anne: ashayes@syr.edu