4 Threats Made Against Tufts University in Less Than a Week
At least two of the threats were emailed to Tuft’s diversity department and several media organizations.
Photo: Postmodern Studio, Adobe Stock
UPDATE 12:51 p.m. — Multiple buildings at Tufts were evacuated after another bomb threat was received Monday morning.
In a message to the school community, campus police urged anyone in Tilton Hall, Lewis Hall, Haskell Hall, Metcalf Hall, Barnum Hall, Houston Hall, and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority to evacuate and avoid the areas.
The threat was emailed to the Tufts Undergraduate Admissions office, Technology Services department, and admissions office for the School of the Museum of Fine Arts around 11:45 a.m., reports Mass Live. Several news outlets were copied on the email, which said that “bombs will [detonate] within a few hours.” Two hours later, officials said the buildings had been searched and no threats were found.
The threat is the third bomb threat received since Wednesday, in addition to a fourth unidentified security threat made against the campus Friday.
MEDFORD, Mass. — Tufts University evacuated several buildings and moved some final exams online after it received three campus threats last week.
The university received an initial bomb threat Wednesday around 3:30 p.m., prompting authorities to evacuate three buildings on the Medford/Somerville campus, reports Boston.com. The threat was emailed to the school’s diversity department and several media organizations.
The self-described “multiracial group” blamed the university for continuing to “fuel anti-white racism.” The threat said it placed bombs in Miller Hall, Ballou Hall, Mayer Campus Center, and on the campus’ Rainbow Steps, which were created to represent diversity and inclusion.
Around 9:30 a.m. the following day, a second threat was made in a similarly-worded email listing several other locations. Those facilities were evacuated as a result. Investigators and first responders determined neither threat was credible.
“I recognize that the past two days have been extremely difficult for our community as we deal with abhorrent and malicious threats against our university and our values. I want to assure you that we remain committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in every corner of our institution,” Tufts President Tony Monaco wrote Thursday in a letter to the campus community. “Our vibrant, diverse community, one that embraces learning from each other, gives our university its greatest strength. There is no greater priority for us than caring for the safety, well-being, and mental health of all our students and the entire community.”
Just after 8:30 a.m. Friday, officials issued a statement indicating a third threat was made against the campus but did not elaborate on the nature of the threat. The campus remained open but the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, and the Fletcher School moved all remaining final exams online.
“As we continue to assess recent threats against the university, please be assured that Tufts University Police are responding with our local partners to investigate each incident,” said the statement. “Please be advised that you will continue to see increased police presence on campus.”
Anyone with information about the threats is urged to call Tufts Police at 617-627-6911.
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About the Author
Amy Rock, Executive Editor
Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.
Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.
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