NIU reopens while school officials investigate threat

[flashl]

Members of the Black Student Union at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb say they feel unsafe on campus two days after a racial slur and a reference to the Virginia Tech shootings were found written on the bathroom wall inside a residence hall.

Northern Illinois University will be open today, after an unspecified threat scrawled on a bathroom wall prompted school officials to cancel classes Monday.

School officials said in a statement on NIU’s Web site: “While an investigation into the weekend posting of threats in a residence hall restroom continues, university police are satisfied that the anonymous message no longer represents an imminent threat to students, faculty or staff.

“University, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have identified several leads and remain hopeful about timely resolution of the case.”

Students who were interviewed felt NIU did the right thing in closing the campus Monday because of the threat discovered Saturday night.

Maintenance crews, along with other NIU staff, were told to stay home as campus police and administrators investigated the threat.

Carolyn Guido, a 19-year-old freshman from New Orleans, estimated half the students on her dormitory floor had gone home or to stay with friends.

“I’m scared out of my mind. I’m glad the campus is closed,” said Guido.

Read More ...

[murielm99]

1. At the risk of sounding cynical,

it was finals week there. Maybe some idiot thought it would be a good way to postpone finals.

I remember one time a med student called in a bomb threat when he felt unprepared for a final. I don't remember where it was, but he was caught.

Actually, I hope it was something this uncomplicated. Students everywhere were unnerved by Virginia Tech. Who can blame them?

[flashl]

2. IIRC, there have been recent reports of serious racial tensions in KY

within the campus environment.