University to work with FBI in bomb threat investigations

By Sarah Schneider

After around 2,100 students were evacuated from the Brush Tower dormitories Thursday at around 11 p.m. when police investigated a bomb threat, Chancellor Rita Cheng said the administration and the FBI will work closely together in the following investigation.

“We will continue to take all necessary precautions to maintain a safe environment for all members of the campus community and our guests,” Cheng said in an email to students, faculty and staff Friday. “We continue to cooperate with the FBI, which is leading the investigation into the threats made against the University this week.”

The university received a written threat around midnight Wednesday. The SIU Department of Public Safety sent a text via the SIUC alert system at 9:36 a.m. Wednesday to inform the university community that the threat was not considered credible.

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Another written threat was received sometime Thursday leading to the evacuation of the buildings. Specific details of the threats have not yet been released.

During the two-hour evacuation while the K9 bomb dogs searched the towers, students were directed to the Student Center, Morris Library and the Student Recreation Center, where a majority of students went.

Public safety officers on the scene declined comment.

Check the dailyegyptian.com for more updates on this story.

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