Several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the United States were forced into lockdown on Thursday after receiving threats.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that it is actively investigating these threats, which are being classified as hoaxes. The incidents underscore the vulnerability of educational institutions to such malicious activities and raise questions about campus safety and security protocols.
Details of HBCU Hoax Threats
On Thursday morning, multiple HBCUs, including Alabama State University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, Southern University and A&M College, and Bethune-Cookman University, implemented lockdown procedures in response to potential threats.
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While Southern University later lifted its lockdown, all classes and campus activities were canceled through the weekend. Similarly, Spelman College in Atlanta increased security measures due to a nearby threat at Clark Atlanta University, though the shelter-in-place order was subsequently lifted.
Virginia State University issued an urgent alert at 8:30 a.m. ET, closing the campus and advising the community to stay informed via email. The university is working closely with campus police and federal law enforcement to assess the threat’s credibility. Additionally, Alabama State University confirmed receiving terrorist threats, prompting a shutdown of campus operations.
Hampton University went a step further by canceling classes for September 11 and 12, citing the need for caution in light of the potential threat. Meanwhile, Florida A&M University, although not directly threatened, opted to cancel in-person classes and shift to virtual learning as a precautionary measure.
HBCUs Targeted in 2022 with Multiple Threats
This spate of threats is not an isolated incident. Historically, HBCUs have been targeted with similar threats, often racially motivated. Earlier in 2022, HBCUs across 12 states and Washington, D.C., were subject to bomb threats, triggering a federal hate crime and violent extremism investigation.
The FBI has previously identified several juveniles as suspects in these cases, highlighting the ongoing challenge of addressing racially motivated threats.
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The FBI has noted that most of these threats are received by phone and are deemed serious until proven otherwise. The Department of Homeland Security advises affected campuses to act quickly but remain calm, emphasizing the need for efficient information gathering.
In response to the 2022 threats, the Biden Administration provided special Department of Education Project SERV grants to affected HBCUs, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, to support their recovery from traumatic events.
