HBCU Lockdowns: At Least Seven Universities Locked Down Over Potential Threats

Topline

At least eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities went into lockdown Thursday after receiving potential threats to their campuses or neighboring educational institutions, canceling classes and non-essential activities as authorities investigate the threats’ validity.

Schools under lockdowns or shelter-in-place orders as of Thursday afternoon include Morehouse College, Virginia State University, Hampton University, Alabama State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Southern University, Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College, according to statements made by the institutions, which are located across five states.

Virginia State University said in a statement at 12:29 p.m. EDT its campus was on lockdown after receiving a threat early Thursday morning, cancelling all afternoon classes and extracurriculars as additional security personnel monitor campus and VSU-run off-campus housing.

Spelman College issued a shelter-in-place order for faculty, staff and students, citing threats received by other HBCUs like Clark Atlanta University (Spelman, CAU and Morehouse are direct neighbors and part of the Atlanta University Center Consortium).

Hampton University canceled all non-essential activity on campus from Thursday to Friday, noting the addition of “enhanced security measures.”