All four universities immediately complied with the orders. The letter also offered the services of the State Fire Marshal's Office as needed. This inspection program, under my direction, was begun after a fire incident in a high rise dormitory at one of our higher education institutions. The inspection program has resulted in the upgrading of minimum fire safety standards in most student housing units. Unfortunately, some housing units are not included in our inspection program.
Private institutions are subject to local fire safety regulations.
Additionally, a large number of students reside in co-op, and fraternity or sorority housing. These housing units, both on and off campus, can be the site of avoidable tragedies as recent injuries and deaths in student housing units have illustrated. These tragic incidents are preventable and could have been avoided. I am urging all institutions of higher education, both public and private to work with state and local fire safety authorities to ensure the safety of all students. I urge all private institutions of higher education to work with their local fire safety officials in determining whether student-housing units meet minimum local fire and building code standards by requesting safety inspections.