Paris Terrorist Attacks Affected Hudson Valley Students

Six SUNY New Paltz students were in France as part of the college’s exchange program during last Friday's terrorist attacks.

Bruce Sillner, SUNY New Paltz's Dean Of International Programs, told the Times Herald Record that all six exchanges students reported that they were safe.

One of the safe students, a female who is doing an exchange program in Madrid, had the bad timing of planning a trip to Paris for last weekend.  A male SUNY Oswego student was also in Paris. Four other SUNY New Paltz students are studying at a college in Besancon, a city 250 miles east of Paris.

Before leaving for their exchange programs all of the students were given safety tips. The students were advised to avoid political rallies or other public gatherings and were told to register with the U.S. State Department to help track their locations.

The terrorist attacks at a stadium, concert hall, restaurants, and bars killed 129 people on Friday. ISIS has claimed responsibility.