On Thursday night, Associate Vice President of Safety and Security Bill Harwood emailed the campus community in response to increased activity and detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Maine.

Noting the importance of sharing clear and detailed information, Harwood provided updates on steps the College has taken to support the safety and wellbeing of the Bowdoin community.

“I have been meeting with many small groups of employees across campus whose roles interface with visitors and the public to provide training and guidance on how to respond if ICE or other law enforcement agents come to campus,” Harwood wrote. “In addition, Safety and Security and the Office of the General Counsel continue to work closely together to ensure that protocols are clear, consistent, and well understood, including procedures for responding to and reviewing warrants or other legal documents.”

Harwood also highlighted changes to the door lock schedules across campus and noted that card access is now required to enter Buck Fitness Center, the Health Center, Burton-Little House, Gibson Hall, Hatch Science Library and Moulton Union.

These actions follow Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline’s confirmation of increased ICE activity in the city on Tuesday, as well as reports of a surge of officers operating in the greater Portland area.

The email concluded with recommendations to students, faculty and staff in light of these events.

“Members of the community who are visa holders are encouraged to carry their passports and immigration documents at all times,” Harwood wrote. “As always, to access campus buildings, students, faculty, and staff should carry their Bowdoin IDs with them. Please do not let someone unknown to you follow you into any Bowdoin facility that requires a swipe-in.”