STATEMENT OF ݮƵPRESIDENT MARK E. KEENUM
“Today, our usually placid Thursday campus routine was interrupted by a frighteningly real threat of violence. Fortunately, our ݮƵPolice, the Division of Student Affairs, and our Crisis Action Team were able to manage this threat and the outcome was that no one was injured, no shots were fired, and no gun was found to have been used by the student making threats against himself and others.
“But something else happened today. We tested procedures designed to protect all of us through our Crisis Action Team responses. Those responses and protocols worked and worked successfully. And they worked because by and large, our students, faculty and staff knew what to do and knew how to react.
“I have directed the Provost to make sure that our faculty are as lenient as possible with regard to the attendance policies so no one is unjustly penalized with regard to class absences. I have also taken steps to make sure that we offer appropriate counseling to any member of our ݮƵfamily who desires such assistance.
“Tomorrow, our Crisis Action Team will return to the table to examine what we learned during these tense hours and how we can use that knowledge to make us all even safer tomorrow. But for now, let’s all be thankful for the safe resolution of today’s unfortunate incident and keep our eyes firmly on our business here at ݮƵ– learning, research, and service.”