<p>I was planning to attend Visitas later this week. Does anyone have information about the safety situation around campus and also in the Boston area following yesterday's tragedy?</p>
<p>With the heightened security and police presence it is probably safer than ever to travel there. Just be aware that the atmosphere/mood may be somber for quite some time.</p>
<p>There is plenty of information in the media (e.g., Boston Globe, NY Times) about safety in Boston. As for the Harvard campus, Drew Faust, University President, released a statement to the Harvard community earlier today that read in pertinent part:</p>
<p>“There were rumors and reports about suspicious packages in Cambridge yesterday, but none of them were ultimately cause for concern. The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD), working in close coordination with external law enforcement agencies, is aware of no threats made against the Harvard campus. As a precaution, the enhanced police and security presence that began yesterday will continue today.”</p>
<p>Cambridge is an urban type of area and it’s always prudent to walk in groups and stay alert. But I can’t imagine that there’s any more reason to be concerned there this week than last. I’ve always been very impressed with HUPD - they do a good job looking out for students.</p>
<p>April 19th, 8:00 AM</p>
<p>Dear Parents,</p>
<p>I write to inform you that we have closed the University today as state and local law enforcement search for a dangerous suspect in a nearby community. We have asked students to stay inside their Dorms and Houses until further notice. No threat to the Harvard campus has been identified. However, as a precautionary measure, the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) has maintained a significantly heightened security presence since late Thursday evening. The campus will remain on high alert until the situation is resolved.</p>
<p>Since the first reports of a shooting at MIT late Thursday evening, we have worked closely with the HUPD throughout the night to monitor events, to provide updates to the community and to ensure the safety of the Harvard students. During that time, we have reached out to students through emergency text messages, emails and social media posts as events developed. </p>
<p>In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, we understand that this has been an especially difficult week for students throughout the College. We have asked students to remain calm and seek help if needed, in their Houses and Dorms or at Harvard Mental Health Services. </p>
<p>Student safety is our foremost priority and we will do everything necessary to safeguard students and other community members. </p>
<p>Sincerely,
Evelynn Hammonds
Dean of Harvard College</p>
<p>‘Harvard University is closed today as state and local law enforcement search for a dangerous suspect in a nearby community. Visitas registration is closed until further notice. Please check the Harvard University website for further updates.’</p>
<p>this is a part of the email my s got this morning.
he is in Goergia now and plan to flight to boston directly on sunday.
Should i change his flight schedule to come home now? or should i wait to see if visitas is back to open?</p>
<p>[Harvard</a> Shuts Down Registration for Visitas Weekend | News | The Harvard Crimson](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/4/19/visitas-weekend-boston-bombing/]Harvard”>Harvard Cancels Visitas Weekend Programming | News | The Harvard Crimson)</p>
<p>"UPDATED: April 19, 2013, at 8:24 a.m.</p>
<p>Harvard has closed registration for Visitas, the visiting weekend for admitted prospective students, Faculty of Arts and Sciences spokesperson Jeff Neal wrote in an email Friday morning.</p>
<p>That announcement comes as a gunman remains at large in the Greater Boston area. Harvard, like many other local universities and school systems, is closed for the day, and authorities have asked individuals to stay home and businesses to remain closed in Cambridge and several other Boston suburbs and neighborhoods.</p>
<p>Neal wrote that emails are being sent to all admitted students alerting them to the situation on campus and in Boston.</p>
<p>With the terror suspect still at large and believed to be armed, Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick ’78 ordered the MBTA to halt service on all buses and trains. Amtrak announced early today that it would halt service between Providence, R.I., and Boston. All taxi service within the city of Boston has been suspended. As of around 8 a.m., Boston Logan International Airport expected to stay open.</p>
<p>An announcement on the Harvard College Office of Admissions website says that University administrators have been in close contact with Harvard University Police Department since Thursday evening. It added that the University will remain on “high alert until the situation is resolved.”</p>
<p>“Student safety is our foremost priority and we will do everything necessary to safeguard students and other community members,” the announcement reads.</p>
<p>Each spring, Visitas typically draws more than 1,000 prospective freshmen, most of them high school seniors, for a weekend of welcome events and various forms of introduction to Harvard College’s academic and social life. It is unclear thus far what effect of closed registration might be on this year’s programming."</p>
<p>April 19th, 8:42 AM</p>
<p>[University</a> Closes With Marathon Bombing Suspect Still At-Large | News | The Harvard Crimson](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/4/19/university-closes-gunman-loose/]University”>University Closes With Marathon Bombing Suspect Still At-Large | News | The Harvard Crimson)</p>
<p>“The status of Visitas, scheduled for this weekend, is unclear. A University spokesperson declined to comment early Friday on the status of prefrosh weekend.”</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I have always loved how The Crimson includes the Harvard affiliation of any person, in any context, whether it’s relevant or not.</p>
<p>Sikorsky '85</p>
<p>@ gibby - Where did you find the “Dear Parents” letter in post #5?</p>
<p>student4ever:),</p>
<p>I received a copy in this morning’s e-mail, for parents on the Harvard parent e-mail list.</p>
<p>I never get those emails and I’ve signed up several times! I will have to try again!!</p>
<p>Well, right now the entire area is in lockdown. All the area universities are closed. I can’t go to BU to say goodbye to my students (it’s the last day of my ESL classes) because I’m locked in my house. I feel like I’m watching a TV movie, but that movie is happening in Watertown, which is less than 2 miles from my house (and directly adjacent to Cambridge). Public transportation is completely shut down. </p>
<p>Needless to say, this is really bizarre. I hope they get the second suspect soon.</p>
<p>My daughter is suppose to fly out tomorrow for visitas. I am not on the parents email list with Harvard. I would appreciate any updates. I keep checking Harvard emergency site. I am wondering if they are considering rescheduling it.</p>
<p>April 19th, 11:00 AM
[Harvard</a> Shuts Down Registration for Visitas Weekend | News | The Harvard Crimson](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/4/19/visitas-weekend-boston-bombing/]Harvard”>Harvard Cancels Visitas Weekend Programming | News | The Harvard Crimson)</p>
<p>“With Cambridge and much of the greater Boston area still on lockdown, Harvard has closed registration for Visitas weekend and advised admitted freshmen who have not yet left for Cambridge to stay put until they receive further direction, according to an email sent to all admitted students Friday morning.”</p>
<p>But, that’s just the registration. I wonder if they’re planning to have Visitas.</p>
<p>Did you read the article in The Crimson? </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Keep reading The Crimson online–or your email–and you’ll know.</p>
<p>We live in Burlington (Mass). We obviously won’t be leaving right away.</p>
<p>Just anxious.</p>
<p>Understandably.</p>
<p>Thanks for the updates. That helps me understand the situation.</p>