Drexel likely pick for new national security program

The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security will be at Drexel University this afternoon to announce the six universities that will become part of a new program to improve safety and security at the nation's colleges.

Drexel University is widely believed to be one of the universities that will be named for the "Campus Resilience Pilot Program."

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will announce the campuses and the intention of the program at Drexel this afternoon. She will be joined by Drexel President John A. Fry.

In announcing the program, the homeland security department said it would work with the Department of Education and Department of Justice, as well as state, local and private sector partners to help universities take steps "to enhance preparedness and campus resilience."

"DHS is committed to working with our partners throughout government and in the academic community to make our nation's college and university campuses more safe, secure and resilient," Napolitano said in a prepared statement announcing the program. "Through the Campus Resilience Pilot Program, we will support campuses and communities in leveraging existing capabilities and seeking new and innovative approaches to making campuses more resilient."

The six campuses, the department said, will represent "a diverse group of colleges and universities in various settings and sizes."