Mail Security Precautions

Tulane University
Senior Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer
204 Gibson Hall
862-8698 (phone)
862-8927 (fax)

To: The Tulane University Community

From: Anthony P. Lorino
Senior Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer

Date: October 22, 2001

Re: Mail Security Precautions

With the tragic events of the last few weeks and the current reports of biological and chemical threats through the mail, the University encourages all students, faculty and staff to exercise appropriate caution in handling mail and offers the following important information and suggestions.

Please note that the University has NOT received any mail of this type. Also note that all outside mail received by students, faculty and staff goes through a two-step screening process -- once through the United States Postal Service and second through the Tulane Mail Service.

If you have reason to believe a letter or package is suspicious, contact the University police at 865-5381 (Uptown) or 588-5531 (Health Sciences Center).

We ask that everyone keep in mind that a hazardous agent can be enclosed in either a package or an envelope. However, some unique characteristics may assist in the identification of a suspect mailing. Remember when receiving mail:

• Hazardous mail may have restricted endorsements such as "Personal" or "Private." These characteristics are important when the addressee does not usually receive personal mail at the office.
  
• Addressee's name or title may be inaccurate.
  
• Addressee may no longer be associated with the University.
  
• Return address may be fictitious or not available.
  
• Hazardous mail may have distorted handwriting or the name and address may be prepared with homemade labels or cut and paste lettering.
  
• Cancellation or postmark may show a different location than the return address.
  
• Hazardous mail may have excessive postage.
  
• Letter bombs may feel rigid, or appear uneven or lopsided.
  
• Package bombs may be unprofessionally wrapped with several combinations of tape used to secure the package and may be endorsed "Fragile-Handle With Care" or "Rush-Do Not Delay."
  
• Hazardous mail may have an irregular shape, soft spots or bulges.
  
• Hazardous mail may make a sloshing sound. Although some packaged devices may buzz or tick, mailed bombs generally do not.
  
• Pressure or resistance may be noted when removing contents from an envelope or package.
  If you are suspicious of a mailing and are unable to verify the contents with the addressee or sender:
  
• DO NOT open the parcel.
  
• ISOLATE the mailing.
  
• EVACUATE the immediate area.
  
• If you have any reason to believe a letter or package is suspicious, DO NOT take a chance or worry about possible embarrassment if the item turns out to be innocent. Please contact Tulane University Police immediately at 865-5381 (Uptown) or 588-5531 (Downtown). Tulane University Police will notify the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and the appropriate governmental authorities.

If you have any other questions about your mail service, please contact Raul Navarro at Tulane Mail Services (865-5706) for professional assistance.

The Center for Disease Control has issued a CDC Health Advisory dated October 12, 2001 entitled "How to Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats." It can be accessed at www.bt.cdc.gov/DocumentsApp/Anthrax/10122001Handle/10122001Handle.asp.

Please refer to the Tulane website (www.tulane.edu) for updates on the University's status and related information. You are also encouraged to familiarize yourself with the Tulane Police website at tulane.edu/~dps/ (Uptown) or tumcpd.tulane.edu (Downtown) for information on emergency procedures.