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April 5, 2012

Bomb threats continue; reward now $50,000

Students, faculty and staff return to the Cathedral of Learning after the building has been cleared.

Students, faculty and staff return to the Cathedral of Learning after the building has been cleared.

University officials are seeking the Pitt community’s help in putting an end to a series of bomb threats to Pittsburgh campus buildings.

As the University Times went to press, a dozen threats had been received since March 14. No bombs have been found, but the threats prompted evacuations while explosives dogs from Pitt and other law enforcement agencies searched the buildings.

Seven of the threats were made to the Cathedral of Learning. Two threats were made to the Chevron Science Center and one to Lawrence Hall, in addition to an April 3 pre-dawn threat that cleared students from the Litchfield Towers residence halls.

Several of the threats were found scrawled on bathroom stall doors; more recent ones were emailed to Post-Gazette newspaper reporters, including former Pitt News editor Liz Navratil, said Robert Hill, vice chancellor for Public Affairs.

The ongoing threats prompted Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg to issue a University Update (www.chancellor.pitt.edu) on Tuesday morning. Within a matter of hours, a threat to the Cathedral of Learning at 2:24 p.m. raised the tally to 11, including five threats within a 24-hour span April 2-3.

Shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Pitt’s emergency notification system (ENS) alerted users to a 12th bomb threat, this one at Thackeray Hall. Details were unavailable at press time.

Police respond to a bomb threat at Thackeray Hall on Wednesday.

Police respond to a bomb threat at Thackeray Hall on Wednesday.

Pitt police, with the assistance of the FBI and Secret Service, continue to investigate the threats, Hill said. A “person of interest” who was identified in the wake of the initial two threats to the Cathedral of Learning (see March 22 University Times) continues to be under scrutiny.

In his April 3 message, the chancellor stated that all possible leads are being pursued and assured the University community, “When those responsible are apprehended, we will work to ensure that they are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Nordenberg asked members of the University community “to be especially attentive to any unusual activity” and to share any relevant information with Pitt police by calling 4-2121 or emailing police@pitt.edu.

Hill said those responsible face fines and incarceration for terroristic threats. He elaborated on the chancellor’s call for vigilance, asking members of the Pitt community to call Pitt police if they witness any behavior that seems furtive, unusual or out of context.

Staying informed

In response to the spate of false threats, Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey, in a March 22 message to parents, urged them to have their children sign up for ENS messaging.

An additional update, released March 30, outlined some of the steps Pitt police are taking, including increased security guard coverage and foot patrols; the use of a handwriting expert to evaluate written threats; review of fingerprint evidence and video of entrances to various locations, and comparison of class and test schedules in relation to the times the threats were made.

Information updates are posted at www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/parents.

Computing Services and Systems Development director Jinx Walton said 1,429 new subscribers signed up for ENS notifications last week, including 935 students, 84 faculty and 410 staff, bringing the total as of April 2 to 44,919.

FERPA concerns

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Dean N. John Cooper sent a message to department chairs, directors, deans and department administrators on Tuesday requesting that their faculty and staff cooperate fully with police investigations.

To alleviate any faculty concerns about student privacy rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the dean’s message clarified that University policy on the release of education records (www.cfo.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-08-01.html) authorizes Pitt police to review students’ academic records.

Reward increased

On March 30, the University announced a $10,000 reward for information on those responsible for the threats. Following additional threats, the offer was increased to $50,000 on Tuesday.

Hill would not reveal the source of the reward money, but said details would be announced if and when payment is made.

He said the University isn’t actively soliciting contributions toward the reward, “but obviously, the University would welcome generosity for all good purposes at any time.”

The multiple evacuations have caused some classes to be canceled. Some faculty have dealt with the interruptions by convening their classes outside or in nearby buildings.

Hill would not quantify the expense related to the multiple bomb threats, but said the loss in productivity, the resources of the Pitt police and other police agencies and their K-9 units, teaching time, learning time and research time all are part of the toll.

Saturday classes set

Students who lost class time due to the threats could find themselves making it up on Saturdays. The University has designated April 14 and 21 as make-up days for faculty who wish to reschedule class time. The Office of the Registrar is coordinating classroom scheduling for make-up classes.

Some faculty have designated alternate locations for their classes. This class met in the 2nd floor lobby of Bellefield Hall after Monday’s Cathedral of Learning threat.

Some faculty have designated alternate locations for their classes. This class met in the 2nd floor lobby of Bellefield Hall after Monday’s Cathedral of Learning threat.

Disruptions to students

Barry Duerr, associate director of Admissions and co-adviser to the Pitt Pathfinders, commended his students for their professionalism as they continue to provide campus tours amid the disruptions.

“They’re students first. They’re upset by the disruption to the class schedules like the other students are,” he said. “But they are handling this with resilience and resolve.”

Amid the admittedly awkward position of promoting Pitt while buildings are being evacuated due to bomb threats, Duerr said the Pathfinders are reinforcing the chancellor’s message that the safety of Pitt students, faculty and staff comes first. “It is positive to see how the University community has come together,” he said.

Duerr said 300-400 visitors are on the Pittsburgh campus each day this time of year, because many high schools are on spring break; his office has seen no increase in campus visit cancellations in recent weeks.

—Kimberly K. Barlow


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