Released July 7, 2005

HATTIESBURG – All students participating in The University of Southern Mississippi's British Studies Program are safe and secure and were not affected by today's bombings in London. An advance party of nine students, including five high school students from Laurel Christian High School, is currently in London along with seven program administrators. The party is located at a considerable distance from the site of the bombings.

In addition to the 16 program participants in London, about 184 students and 20 faculty members will be arriving in London over the next few days. Despite the bombings, the British Studies Program will proceed as scheduled and will take whatever additional safety precautions that are advised by the police and the government of the United Kingdom, said Dr. Elliott Pood, dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

"The program has a tremendous terrorism response policy that's been in place for some time now, and it is being implemented," Pood said.

Students arriving in London will travel by private coach to King's College, where the program's participants are housed.

Although the British Studies Program is proceeding as planned, any students who decide to withdraw will receive a full refund of their fees.

For more information, contact the office of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts at (601) 266-4315 or the office of International Studies at (601) 266-4344.

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