“As the University continues to assess these threats in partnership with the Springfield Police Department (SPD) and FBI, all Wittenberg classes will be remote tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 16. Students engaged in field, clinical, or other off-campus experiences should follow the protocol of the agency where they are placed. Professors will communicate their expectations to their students. Faculty and staff are also expected to work remotely, except for essential employees. All events, athletics, and activities will again be canceled tomorrow.”
University officials said all academic facilities will be locked on Monday, and Wittenberg will the same adjusted protocol to dining as it did Sunday.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the Wittenberg Police Division and SPD will continue with increased presence in and around our campus,” the university said. “Along with Wittenberg, the city of Springfield and Governor DeWine are taking these threats seriously and are currently working with the appropriate agencies to address. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.”
2:05 P.M. UPDATE
Wittenberg University Police sent the following email to the school community at 1:32 p.m. in response to another threat received, this time a bomb threat utilizing a red Honda Civic:
“The entire campus has been cleared of any suspicious vehicle and no threats found. The red Honda Civic located on Bill Edwards Drive was cleared and found not to be involved. If you have any information, please contact dispatch at (937) 327-6231 or (937) 327-6363.”
Investigations into both the new threat and previous threat are ongoing, according to university officials, who said increased patrols will continue on the Springfield campus throughout the day.
The university said as of 2 p.m. Sunday, classes and activities for the upcoming week were expected to continue as planned unless otherwise noted.
ORIGINAL STORY
Wittenberg University canceled all activities, events and athletics contests Sunday due to a threat of a potential shooting on campus from an email sent Saturday.
The university said the message especially targeted Haitian members of the community.
“All students, faculty and staff should exercise extreme precaution and be alert to all your surroundings,” the university said in an alert. “The Springfield Police Division is increasing patrols on-campus on Sunday. If you are on or near campus, prepare for additional instructions or a lockdown if we learn more from the ongoing investigation.”
The campus is located at the 200 block of West Ward Street. The Thomas Library at 807 Woodlawn Ave. is closed as well.
“University administrators recognize that the city of Springfield has experienced an increase of threats to local government, businesses and schools in the past week,” the university said. “We take this threat seriously and will provide updates to the campus as we learn more about the situation.”
The university asked anyone who sees anything suspicious or has information about the threat, to contact Wittenberg Police Division immediately at the emergency line at 937-327-6363. The non-emergency line is 937-327-6231.
Wittenberg Police are cooperating with the Springfield Police Division and the FBI to investigate this threat.
The university also offered a long series of campus safety tips:
- Always be aware of your surroundings when you are out and about;
- Report unusual activities or suspicious individuals immediately to the campus police, including those outside of residence halls and housing;
- Be alert of strangers who might attend gatherings at your residence and take action to address their presence by calling Wittenberg Police to respond;
- Exterior doors of residential halls and Burb’s houses should never be left unlocked or propped opened;
- Do not allow others to “tailgate” behind you to gain entry in a secured building or space. If you observed someone who “tailgated”, call Wittenberg Police;
- Close and lock your room door when you are sleeping or studying in your room;
- Should you become aware of someone unknown who has entered your residence, call 9-1-1 when it is safe to do so.
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