Extra lighting and increased surveillance followed an attempted firebombing
early Tuesday morning of the building that is to become the William R. Grant '49
Admissions and Financial Aid Center.
Local and federal authorities were investigating the incident at the former
Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house after four “Molotov cocktails” were
hurled at the building sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
One of the incendiary devices charred a section of railing and a pillar on
the northwest corner of the building, but the fire apparently self-extinguished
before spreading, said William Sickinger, director of campus safety. The other
devices did not ignite. Investigators on Tuesday were gathering the devices for
evidence and analysis.
The case is under investigation by officials from Campus Safety, Schenectady
police and fire departments, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and
Firearms. The incident was discovered early Tuesday morning by workers who had
arrived to resume the renovation work on the building. The project is to be
completed in the spring of 2001.
“This is a very serious incident and the College will cooperate fully
with the investigation,” said Frederick Alford, dean of students, in a memo
to members of the campus community. He went on to ask anyone with information
that might be helpful to the investigation to contact the Office of Campus
Safety, ext. 6350.