President Brown on the Boston Maraon Attacks

By Roger H. Brown

April 16, 2013 Dear Members of the Berklee Community,

A terrible attack has occurred in our city. We have learned that at least one student was injured in the explosions. While we have not yet made contact with him directly, a fellow student reported this news to us. Please let us know if you know of any others from the Berklee community injured or affected.

In order to help law enforcement professionals to do their jobs, we have been asked to close the college, and for those of you near campus to remain at home or in your dorm rooms. Per Boston Police Commissioner Davis, a 15-block radius surrounding today's tragic event will be closed off for the next 24 hours.

As a result, Berklee will be closed on Tuesday, April 16.

The State Police and National Guard are fully deployed, and the Boston Police Department is presently walking block to block, thoroughly checking people and objects.

It has been confirmed that two additional devices have been exploded by the police under controlled conditions. So it is vital that you remain indoors, stay tuned to professional broadcast and web-based media, and continue to monitor the situation.

All of our Berklee buildings are locked to outsiders, and will remain so until further notice. Additional Berklee Public Safety officers have been deployed at a variety of campus locations. The 160 Massachusetts Avenue construction site will be closed Tuesday.

At last count, at least 140 people are injured, and three have died. All the injured have been transported to area hospitals. Let us all have them, and their families, in our thoughts and prayers.

If you should see something suspicious, please report it immediately to Berklee Public Safety at 617 747-2333. If you are feeling concerned, and would like to talk to someone about your response to the emergency, you may reach the Counseling and Advising Center, after hours, through the Public Safety number, and during regular business hours at 617 747-2310. Faculty and staff, you are encouraged to call our Employee Assistance Program at 800 828-6025.

Please know that there is no damage to any of our campus buildings, and that all of the buildings are secured. If you have issues or questions regarding the emergency, you are welcome to call Roy Murphy, chief of public safety, who is on campus, at 617 747-2304.

Please stay attuned to further alerts via the Berklee Emergency Notification System (BENS). We will send additional updates via BENS and email as information becomes available.

Yours,

Roger H. Brown

President, Berklee College of Music

LINK:	http://www.berklee.edu/news/president-brown-boston-marathon-attacks...
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