The Indian Student Association gathered Saturday at the International Cultural Center to discuss the University’s efforts to ensure campus safety as a response to the recent heightened crime activity on campus. The discussion forum touched on future safety precautions the University should take after the double homicide of two University students and an armed robbery. The group cited failing security measures and updates by the LSU Police Department. Students said they feel like they are in the dark when it comes to progress in the case of the on-campus double homicide. “There should be a committee of four or five students constantly meeting with LSUPD authorities to get regular updates,” said ISA Faculty Adviser Dr. S.S. Iyengar. ISA members discussed the need to keep the investigation of the double homicide that occurred on campus in Edward Gay Apartments in the minds of all students and authorities. Iyengar said the incident being forgotten will prove detrimental for University safety. He said when an incident takes place on campus, the police department has a prominent presence, but it begins to disappear after a few days. “This can happen anywhere at any time,” Iyengar said. “It’s not an issue of race; it’s an issue of graduate students who lost their lives.” Students expressed their concerns about the lack of light in busy areas of campus, the downplay of attempted home invasions by the LSUPD and the need for some sort of security at the Nicholson and Edward Gay apartments. Nandini Banerjee, agricultural economics major, said she feels everyone, including University and state officials, should be aware of what is happening on campus. “I don’t work late, but I can personally feel the problem of students that work late on campus,” Banerjee said. “It is hindering the research of the departments.” President of the ISA Ravi Tej Kavalipati said the University should install a security post where people who visit the graduate apartments should be required to check in. Some members suggested the University offer a better incentive for information that will result in the arrest of suspects. The ISA is looking to hold a candle-lit vigil Feb. 13 in remembrance of the two slain students. The organization has also written a petition of proposed security measures that will be presented to Interim Chancellor William Jenkins. This petition suggests things such as an LSUPD posting at campus housing through the night and the construction of security gates at the Nicholson and Edward Gay apartments. The group revealed that there will also be a scholarship given to international students by the University in the name of the two homicide victims. A Campus Safety forum, hosted by the University Chapter of American Association of University Professors will be held on Jan. 31 at 3:10 p.m. in the Hill Memorial Library to discuss campus security and safety. Dandina Rao, petroleum engineering professor, encouraged students to attend the forum to voice their concerns to University authorities. “Find out things you would like to be done,” Rao said. “This is a very good step in getting what you wanted started.” The Campus Safety Forum speakers will include Associate Vice Chancellor Eric Monday and LSUPD authorities Maj. Lawrence Rabalais, Det. David Heroman and Interim Police Chief Gary Durham.
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