Colleges have been rocked by hoax calls of shootings and bomb threats this week, causing campuses to shut down and huddle with law enforcement.
At least 11 colleges experienced a bomb threat yesterday, including Alabama A&M University, Cleveland Institute of Art, Delaware State University, Lone Star College University Park, Monroe County Community College, Morgan State University, Nazareth University, Towson University, University of Alaska Fairbanks and Prairie View A&M University. The threats also caused other nearby institutions to take precautionary measures.
The wave of bomb threats is estimated to have affected over one million students and cost $60 million to campus operations, FOX News reports.
False reports of an active shooter have also led campuses to conduct precautionary measures. The University of Florida temporarily halted operations on Tuesday after the school received a “hoax call” about gunfire at the science library.
More on crisis management: Schools need faster emergency response technology. What’s the holdup?
At least four Pennsylvania universities were alerted about a potential shooting on their campus:
- West Chester University
- Millersville University
- Grove City University
- Shippensburg University
Which HBCUs have been targeted by hoax calls
Four of the 11 colleges to receive a bomb threat on Tuesday were historically black colleges and universities. Alabama A&M University President Daniel K. Wims received an “anti-semitic and racist” email that suggested a bomb and mass shooting threat at the school library, according to a statement posted on social media.
Delaware State, the sole HBCU in that state, was forced to cancel classes and send employees home after a bomb threat was called in after 10 a.m.
Following the death of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah in September, at least five HBCUs locked down their campuses and urged students to shelter in place after receiving threats. Like other schools, Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, conducted a search of its library and surrounding areas with the help of law enforcement for potential weapons.
