BU London program removes red placard

Officials in the Boston University London study abroad program removed BU’s plaque from the front of the program’s main building last week as a precautionary measure in a time of shaky international relations and anti-war sentiment in England, International Programs Office officials said this week.

The move was part of a larger effort to avoid drawing attention to American students studying in abroad locations, according to Joseph Finkhouse, the office’s director of Student Affairs and International Education.

Students themselves are already discouraged from taking actions that make their national origin obvious, even in peacetime, he said. Students are told not to wear clothing with American logos around cities in foreign countries, he said.

London program officials were working to removing evidence of American affiliation from the building, in accordance with the program’s general advice, they said.

The program’s removal of the sign came in the wake of a letter sent last week to parents of BU study abroad students describing preparations the office has been taking to ensure the health, safety and security of their sons and daughters.

Professor Ranald Macdonald, director of the London program, cited the United States’ diplomatic position in the world as the determining factor to remove the BU plaque.

‘It just seemed to me to be wise not to advertise where an American university program is headquartered here in London,’ Macdonald said.

Macdonald said last week was not the first time that members of the London program have removed the plaque to ensure student safety.

‘On a number of occasions at times of international unrest we have taken the Boston University plaque off the front of our main building,’ he said.

The plaque was the only item removed from BU’s London buildings, as it was the only place the university’s name was prominently displayed, Macdonald said.

‘Our student housing in the nearby is not identified and sits among other housing in the residential area of South Kensington,’ Macdonald said.

Although cautious, Macdonald said program participants have been composed and determined to finish their semester without disruption.

‘[London] is calm and wary with everyone going about their business as normal,’ Macdonald said. ‘The Boston University program continues to operate as usual, though we are taking the sensible and obvious precautions considering the world situation.’

While the removal of the BU plaque is visible evidence of precaution, Macdonald and other heads of the British program also maintain communication with the students and numerous organizations, in accordance with International Programs’ letter to parents.

‘I have briefed students over what to do in the event of some major incident, in the United States, in Continental Europe or here in Britain,’ Macdonald said. ‘We do keep in close touch with the police and the American embassy and Foreign Office so students know of any alerts or warnings.’

Fortunately, Macdonald said that students in London have not been endangered up to this point.

‘[There have been] no specific threats nor hostility to students who are handling themselves with dignity, intelligence and some courage,’ he said.