Campus News
Threat found in bathroom, police say
Written by Eric Athas, AmherstWire.com Wednesday, 27 February 2008 01:55
Extra police patrols have been assigned to the University of Massachusetts campus after a threatening message was discovered this afternoon in an academic building, university officials said.
A janitor found the message in a second-floor men’s bathroom in Bartlett Hall, said UMass spokesman Ed Blaguszewski. While the contents of the note have not been released, a statement by the university states the message was "threatening violence with a weapon."
MAP: Similar threats around the state
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“Hopefully it will turn out to be a threat and nothing else,” said Blaguszewski. He added that extra patrols have been assigned in and around the area of Bartlett Hall.
Two other Bay State colleges are on alert today after similar threats were made – one at Framingham State College and five at Bridgewater State College.
At BSC yesterday, death threats were discovered on the walls of women’s bathrooms in Maxwell Library, the Conant Science Building, the Rondileau Campus Center and Boyden Hall, according to a press release. The threats, the press release says, make references to the words “murder” and “death” while also mentioning the date “2-28.”
Another threat was found in the Rondileau Campus Center today, this one threatening the life of college president, Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria.
A building at Framingham State College was evacuated today after officials say a bomb threat was noticed in Hemenway Hall, according to The MetroWest Daily News.
Blaguszewski mentioned the threats at the other colleges, but said no connection has been made at this point. “Who knows if they are related or not,” he said.
A campus-wide e-mail was sent out to UMass students and faculty around 3:30 p.m., and a message was posted on the university’s homepage. As of about 6 p.m., a UMass police cruiser is parked between Memorial and Bartlett Halls.
Eric Athas can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it