Extra Security At Area Campuses Following Threat Of Violence
By Tim Jimenez, Rahel Solomon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Colleges throughout the region are reacting to an FBI advisory about an unspecified threat of violence -- posted on social media -- at a Philadelphia area school this afternoon.
The reported threat did not list a particular school, but it did claim the supposed act of violence would happen at 2 p.m.
For the colleges and Universities in or around our area, it's business as usual in the sense that campuses are open. Classes are in session, like at Rowan University, says spokesman Joe Cardona:
"There was no recommendation from the FBI or anything that indicated that any University should change its operations in any way other than having a heightened security and awareness."
There are some changes, however, like at Drexel for example, where school IDs are required to enter all buildings, even facilities where IDs aren't always necessary.
Drexel students tell CBS 3 Eyewitness News the increased and public safety presence is very visible. One student says her afternoon class was even canceled, in part because of the threat.
As for those who may feel unsafe and stay home, Cardona tells KYW Newsradio Rowan is treating today like a bad weather event:
"The only stipulation is they contact their professor ahead of time and make arrangements."
Cardona says they first got the advisory on Friday but it wasn't meant for public release. But once Sunday rolled around though, all the schools told their communities about this unspecified threat.
This all comes just days after the deadly shooting at an Oregon community college.
