'No increased risk for TU/e, but extra vigilance after Paris'

Although TU/e has not communicated it extensively, the university is also "extra vigilant" after the recent attacks in Paris. No extra security measures have been taken, says Mirjam Jahnke, head of the TU/e Safety & Security division. She does not think the university is running a higher risk.

Immediately after the attacks in Paris on Friday November 13 emails were exchanged with the Executive Council during the weekend, Jahnke explains. "'Does this imply anything for TU/e and if so, what? Is our location at risk, or will our people be visiting high-risk locations any time soon?' These are important questions that you do want to contact each other about at once."

The following Monday it was agreed that there was no reason to disseminate campus-wide information, but that it is being monitored "in the background" with greater vigilance "where our students and employees are expected to be in the coming weeks and months, on the instructions of or via the university". This is always done anyway, Jahnke confirms, "but if necessary there will be swifter attunement between myself and the Executive Board".

Extra security measures on campus have not been made, she says. TU/e does not form a "target" in that sense, Jahnke adds, relying on signals from the police. "There is no question of an increased risk; extra measures are not recommended."

She does refer to "extra vigilance among the security staff", who have in the past few weeks been more explicitly present in much-visited campus buildings and are moving across the site more visibly in general than they used to.

According to Jahnke she does not really notice any increased concern or fear among TU/e employees or students, "I think that it is better than expected. However, people are being more alert, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that". 

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