“The University of Akron will remain open after receiving another bomb threat on the eve of Sept. 11. This is the third consecutive week UA has received a bomb threat. Early Monday morning, the office of admissions received an e-mail threat. The e-mail did not mention any building specifically, nor did it mention the university specifically, UA spokesperson Ken Torisky.”
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The University of Akron will remain open after receiving another bomb threat on the eve of Sept. 11. This is the third consecutive week UA has received a bomb threat.

Early Monday morning, the office of admissions received an e-mail threat. The e-mail did not mention any building specifically, nor did it mention the university specifically, UA spokesperson Ken Torisky.

It came late last night, early morning, e-mailed to the admissions office and tied to 9/11, he said. It did reference the fact of universities receiving threats in the past few weeks, it didn’t name us specifically.

However, the university is not taking this threat lightly. In a Zipmail Monday night, UA Police Chief Paul Callahan addressed the situation.

Though we will be open tomorrow, we understand that this threat, coming on the heels of the others and in conjunction with the anniversary of 9/11, will cause some anxiety in people, he said. We are, therefore, taking every step to enhance security on campus in conjunction with other area law-enforcement agencies.

For security reasons, we cannot give specifics but can assure you that the increased police presence will be noticeable.

Akron is not the only school to receive this threat.

These e-mails are being received all over the United States, said Scott Willson, an FBI special agent. What we’re running into I think is the possibility of copy cats, but the original e-mails are still under investigation.

Callahan’s Zipmail reported the University of Iowa, Indiana University, Middle Tennessee State, Kenyon College, Princeton University, Carnegie-Mellon University and more than a dozen other schools have all received threats.

Those responsible, however, are still at large and schools must react to the threats they receive.

Unfortunately because of the nature of the threat, universities, law enforcement and the FBI’s number-one concern is the safety of the general public and students, he said. It’s one of those things where until you know it’s a hoax you have to act on it.

For now, UA will remain open.

You should know that the university has its own police department with 35 officers that operates around the clock on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods, Callahan said. Our officers are specially trained to respond to and investigate bomb threats and similar incidents.

We also have called on city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies to assist us and we are grateful for their support.

The university has made it known that it intends to pursue charges against anyone responsible for the bomb threats.

Officials have charged Jason Ford, a non-student, in connection with one of the earlier threats. Ford is being charged with making false alarms and inducing panic. Both are felonies.

The FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, the Department of Homeland Security and our campus police department, along with others, are investigating the incidents, Callahan said in the Zipmail. The University of Akron treats any threat seriously and will not be drawn into complacency. We will continue to adhere to National Incident Management Safety protocols and take all necessary steps to help assure the safety of students, faculty, staff and guests.

Willson echoes Callahans ideas.

Hopefully they’ll find the origin of them and put a stop to them, he said. The safety of the students is the number one concern.

The university is offering counseling for students, faculty and staff in the Counseling, Testing and Career Center in Simmons Hall.

Students, faculty and staff will be updated via e-mail and text messaging for those who have subscribed. Information can also be found on the UA home page or by calling 330-972-7660 (SNOW).

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” #1.1361886:1973793265.jpg:015_070829_online_ auburn_bombthreat_mp.jpg:University police have continued to search buildings with officers, maintenance and bomb-sniffing dogs since the first e-mail at Auburn Science and Engineering Center.:Mike Piero”