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A warning from LSU4:57 p.m.
Reacting to reports of limited disturbances among Hurricane Katrina victims at a large Baton Rouge shelter, Louisiana State University Chancellor Sean O’Keefe has ordered doors locked at LSU buildings and urged students and others to remain inside.
Some campus workers said O'Keefe's campus e-mail, sent at mid-day, reflected anxiety about the presence of large numbers of New Orleanians in Baton Rouge. His directive came amid major problems with looting in parts of the New Orleans area since Katrina ravaged that city on Monday.
“There have been confirmed reports of civil unrest in the Baton Rouge area this morning. These incidents appear to be confined to specific areas in the downtown Baton Rouge area and specific locations around the community,” O’Keefe’s e-mail said. “At this time, local law enforcement are reported to have the situation contained,” the chancellor said, but added that to ensure campus safety “we have instructed that all buildings on campus be locked and we ask that occupants remain indoors.”
The e-mail also said that for those “who would feel more secure in their homes, we urge that you leave campus in an orderly fashion. Please be aware that these incidents of unrest in the community make travel an unknown risk at this time.”
LSU administration officials weren’t immediately available to elaborate on concerns expressed in the e-mail.
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