Bomb Threat at NIU

NIU Bomb Threat:
The following text message was received from NIU alerts at 6:45pm tonite:

Bomb Threat at NIU
The university has received a bomb threat. All buildings need to be evacuated immediately. Occupants need to stay beyone 500 feet of campus buildings.

UPDATES

11:30 PM – As of about 11 p.m., all residence halls at Northern Illinois University had been searched, determined to be safe and reopened to students. Police will work through the night to inspect and clear the remainder of campus buildings and all classes are expected to be held as usual Friday.

8:33 PM – Statement: NIU cancels classes, activities after bomb threat

NIU cancels classes, activities after bomb threat

Reacting to a threat phoned into campus police shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Northern Illinois University evacuated and closed all university buildings.

At this time, the threat appears to be a hoax and one of a series of bogus bomb threats called into a number of colleges and universities across the region. However, to ensure the safety of students, police are conducting a building-by-building search before allowing anyone back into buildings.

“We are taking no chances with the safety of our students, faculty and staff,” NIU President Doug Baker said. “We apologize for the inconvenience but clearly must err on the side of caution.”

All evening classes were canceled, as were all campus events, with the exception of the NIU basketball Midnight Madness at the Convocation Center. That facility was the first building swept and cleared so that students had a place to wait out the closures.

Because the nature of the threat was not specific, university officials also closed all of its branch campuses until they too could be searched and cleared.

– See more here

8:12 PM – Students on NIU campus please proceed to the Convocation Center until the remainder of campus is clear.

7:52 PM – Convocation Center is secured. The previously planned basketball event is continuing as scheduled at 8:30 p.m.

7:08 PM – Please evacuate all NIU branch campuses until further notice. Everyone can report to the convocation center or they can return to their homes.

6:59 PM – All NIU classes and events are cancelled for tonight. All students and staff on campus should report to the Convocation Center.

For updates click here:
http://www.niu.edu/emergencyinfo/safetybulletin/index.shtml