057 MTSU AMONG AT LEAST FIVE UNIVERSITIES RECEIVING BOMB THREATS

Release date: Aug. 27, 2007

News & Public Affairs contact: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

MTSU IS AMONG AT LEAST FIVE UNIVERSITIES NATIONALLY RECEIVING BOMB THREATS TODAY


(MURFREESBORO) — MTSU was among at least five universities nationally that received bomb threats earlier today (Aug. 27) on the first day of MTSU’s fall semester classes, President Sidney A. McPhee said. The MTSU president said an e-mail message was sent to three offices on the MTSU campus this morning.
“The message stated that three booby-trapped explosive devices were planted near MTSU facilities,” McPhee said. “The Department of Public Safety (MTSU Police) was notified, and we immediately sent an e-mail to alert everyone on campus.”
Safety officials made an extensive search and nothing was found, university officials said.
McPhee added that Princeton University, Clemson University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Alaska at Anchorage also received bomb threats, along with MTSU.
A follow-up e-mail from McPhee stated, “While this does not mean we shouldn’t remain vigilant and report any suspicious-looking items or activities to the Department of Public Safety, it does indicate that MTSU was not alone in receiving these kinds of messages. Our university, it would appear, was randomly selected among other institutions of higher learning.”
McPhee urged the campus community to “continue to be careful and observant” in their activities.
MTSU Public Safety can be reached at 615-898-2424.
For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

###