Friday October 26, 2001

Police don't expect any major safety issues

Despite safety concerns after the September 11 attacks, university officials say they will not increase Family Weekend security beyond the usual amount.

Cmdr. Brian Seastone of the University of Arizona Police Department said police will continue their security as usual - increased officer visibility and checks for alcohol and weapons - at the football game Saturday.

Seastone added that he is not worried about safety issues during Family Weekend.

"I don't expect anything to be different," he said. "(Family Weekend) is a wonderful time."

Eric Hochman, executive director for Family Weekend, said he has not planned for extra security for the weekend.

"We're all going to be looking out for each other," he said. "I don't feel there's a need."

One student, however, said she doesn't always think campus is as safe as it could be and that the UA does not have enough security,

Punal Amin, a microbiology freshman, said since the attacks, she has dealt with some verbal discrimination regarding her Indian descent.

"Just because my family comes from a certain place doesn't make me a terrorist," Amin said.

She said these types of verbal discrimination attacks have happened more than once. Despite this, she said she still plans to attend the football game this weekend with her parents who will be visiting from Phoenix.

Family Weekend, a 70-year-old UA tradition formerly known as Parents Day, consists of a number of planned activities for students and their families over the course of three days. This year's event will include the participation of 1,220 families - an increase from last year's 1,100 families.

Hochman said only two families have cancelled their reservations for Family Weekend, but it is uncertain if the cancellations are related to the attacks.

Merideth Mayrand, an elementary education sophomore, said she hasn't really thought about the need for security for Family Weekend.

"I haven't felt unsafe," Mayrand said.

Mayrand's family - who will be attending Family Weekend for the first time - will drive down from Flagstaff.

Mayrand said she is looking forward to this weekend because she will have more time to spend with her family.

She added that her parents never considered canceling their plans after the attacks because they had been planning to participate in Family Weekend for months.

UAPD will also be holding a seminar on campus safety Saturday. Students and their families will have the chance to ask questions and hear recent UA crime statistics. The seminar will be held at 10 a.m. at UAPD, 1852 E. First St.; the event is free.