Increased Security at IHEID: Student Concerns, Social Media Threats, and Questions of Transparency.

By Editorial Board, The Graduate Press

In the last month, IHEID students noticed increased security measures on campus. The presence of security guards has increased, and doors that were once unlocked and easily accessible now require an ID. Students have mixed reactions to the amplified security protocol. 

“Security guards have become a ubiquitous presence unlike before,” said one student. Another reported asking a security guard about their increased presence. They were told that there had been some concerns about safety but that there were no active threats. This student felt comforted by the guard’s response, who assured them that the campus is secure. 

Rumors ranging from threats of violence via social media by an alumnus to the occurrence of a violent incident at the institute have circulated as many try to understand the uptick in security, and some even question their safety. In response to these distressing reports, the Graduate Press has tried to shed light on more information, hoping to provide clarity to the student body. 

While investigating the matter, The Graduate Press acquired a number of story screenshots from an alumnus’s public Instagram account. However, it is important to note that the matter is sub judice due to ongoing legal proceedings. Therefore, we will not highlight the content of the Instagram stories nor reach out to the owner of the aforementioned Instagram account. 

On October 29th, The Graduate Press interviewed Laurence Algarra, Director of Cabinet, and David Gaymard, Director of Real Estate, in order to get a better understanding of the ongoing situation. They said, “The increased security presence is a precautionary measure due to concerning posts made on Instagram by an alumnus.” While Algarra and Gaymard could not comment on the specifics of the incident, they reiterated the point that students should not feel worried about campus safety. “Safety of the community is very important to us,” said Algarra. When asked about the occurrence of any violent incident on campus, which many students believed had transpired, Gaymard and Algarra clarified that there had been no such incident and reiterated that the security measures are purely precautionary. 

Following this meeting, residents of student housing received an email about security precautions at the residences. However, no statement was made regarding the increase in on-campus security measures. Many students worry about the lack of transparency from the administration, given that there has been no official statement informing the student body on the increased security protocols.  When contacted for a comment, the security office responded, “The security service is not authorized to disclose information regarding specific incidents or to publicly comment on situations.”

This is not the first time that safety has been a concern on campus.  In July 2025, the Feminist Collective created a report from a student poll about misconduct management at IHEID. “While many students reported feeling generally safe on campus, the majority were unaware of how to access reporting mechanisms,” the report noted. It also highlighted that the main safety concerns of students are the “major gaps in efficiency and implementation of communication, victim-centered support, and an alarming level of distrust in the institution.” 

Misconduct management still remains a concern for students, and the recent events reaffirm this, said some students. One indicated that this recent situation allegedly relates to a dispute dating back to 2021 regarding the mishandling of sexual harassment claims. 

The lack of transparent communication about these security concerns has distressed some students, with one student commenting, “I’m kinda shocked,” after discussing the rumors with friends. “When I heard there were threats to the institute, I thought, ‘yea sure,’ but then I saw the posts,” they said. “I thought it was crazy, and I wanted to know more,” they said. 

While the details of this situation remain sensitive, we at The Graduate Press hope that students can find some clarity from the information that we have acquired. The goal of The Graduate Press is not to sensationalize the matter nor mischaracterize any party in this ongoing matter. Ultimately, our priority is to offer what information we can to quell student concerns.