Muslim communities have been monitored closely ever since September 11th for any possible connection to a terrorist group. But an Associated Press article shows just how closely the NYPD is watching. As our Cara Thomas explains, the NYPD began monitoring Muslim Student Associations in 2006 at various colleges across the state, including Syracuse University, Clarkson University, and SUNY Potsdam.

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POTSDAM, N.Y. -- Clarkson Associate Professor, Abul Khondker said, "If you look at the world. There are 1.6 billion muslims in the world. That's a large number. Do you think all of them have that kind of thing in the faith?"

Terrorism has been a large part of our country ever since 9-11. And the NYPD has upped its surveillance even outside its city walls, all the way up to Potsdam, New York, more specifically Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam, as well as other college campuses across the state to monitor their Muslim Student Associations.

"I expected that from a federal agency rather than a city agency. That was the surprising part. If somebody told me FBI was looking at us, I'd say, ok makes sense. But NYPD, no it doesn't," said Khondker.

According to an Associated Press article, the New York City Police department began monitoring MSA websites, emails and blogs back in 2006 and 2007. The police have also gone undercover during MSA trips and to monitor Muslim daily activities.

In a statement, the NYPD said: "Some of the most dangerous... terrorists since 9/11 were radicalized and/or recruited at Muslim Student Associations. As a result, the NYPD deemed it prudent to get a better handle on what was occurring at MSA's... open sources like websites."

And while college officials said they can understand where the police are coming from, they also believe there are some rights being violated. But college officials say their biggest concern, is the outcome if a student is red-flagged.

SUNY Potsdam's Assistant for Director of Diversity, Susan Stebbins said, "I'd be concerned about students being red flagged for their future job possibilities, graduate school, for travel abroad, how will this affect them in the future?"

Professors at both schools said it's outrageous that anyone related to the Potsdam mosque could ever be associated with suspicious behavior and said the local muslim population is very much a part of the community.