October 7th, 2015 at 9:42AM - FROM THE DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY
To allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation of the continuing threat and ensure the safety of our campus community, all Eastern Kentucky University campuses will cancel classes beginning today, October 7th, 2015, at 10:00 AM and will close Thursday, October 8th and Friday October 9th, 2015. Essential services will remain open, and police presence around the campus will continue to be increased. Some special events may continue as planned with increased security presence. A message will be coming from the Office of the President providing more details.
The EKU Police Department continues to follow up on tips issued from the community and is actively investigating the threat in conjunction with other Federal and State Law Enforcement agencies.
Background
On the morning of October 5, 2015, the Eastern Kentucky University Police Department issued a Public Safety Alert after receiving a report about graffiti with threatening language. The graffiti, found in a bathroom in the Powell Building, states, "KILL ALL BY 10/8/15 THIS BU OOP."
Public Safety Update for the Morning of October 7th, 2015
The EKU Police Department, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, continues to actively investigate this incident and provide increased patrols. They are interviewing individuals that have been identified through community issued tips. The University is offering a $10,000 reward for the identification leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible person or persons.
The EKU Police Department, through its investigative processes, has been unable to substantiate a specific threat against a specific building. Anyone having firsthand information relative to a specific threat or message should contact EKU Police at (859) 622-1111 or via the online form at http://www.police.eku.edu/eku-tip-reporting. Please be aware that knowingly making a false police report is a criminal offense.
Please rely on official communications from the President’s Office and the Division of Public Safety, as opposed to unsubstantiated social media posts. We will continue to communicate in as timely and transparent a fashion as possible, within the context and constraints of an ongoing investigation. The latest information is also posted at http://emergency.eku.edu/public-safety-alerts-updates-0.
Stay Informed - Register to receive mass notifications through RAVE Mobile Safety
To Register:
Current Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Log on to EKU Direct (https://web4s.eku.edu/pls/prod/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin) with your EKU ID and PIN. In the main menu, click the Rave Mobile Safety - Emergency Notifications link.
Register to receive text, voice, and/or email messaging. Note: Email messages are automatically sent to all current EKU email addresses and you cannot opt-out of receiving messages on your EKU email account.
To receive text and voice messages you must opt-in by entering your telephone number(s).
Other Community Members:
Go to the Rave Site Look-up and search for Eastern Kentucky University (http://www.getrave.com/login/eku).
Click the Register Button in the upper right hand corner.
Register your information and select to receive text, voice, and/or email messaging.
Personal Safety - What you can do right now
Take the time necessary to learn how to be prepared for any emergency situation on or off campus.
Visit the EKU Emergency Management webpage at http://emergency.eku.edu/, and our EKU Emergency Guide Poster athttp://emergency.eku.edu/sites/emergency.eku.edu/files/eku_emergency_guide_-_version_7.pdf
You can further prepare by reviewing The General EKU Emergency Action Plan (pdf format) athttp://emergency.eku.edu/sites/emergency.eku.edu/files/1_eku_general_emergency_action_plan_-_template_-_09022015.pdfand specific Building Emergency Action Plans athttp://emergency.eku.edu/building-emergency-action-plans.
Care for your mental health. EKU Counseling Services stands available for any student who would like to speak with a counselor. Call (859) 622-1303 or drop by the Counseling Center in Whitlock 571 if you have a need.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by ENI at no cost to you, is available to assist Faculty and Staff 24/7. You can access this resource by calling 1-800-EAP-CALL (800-327-2255) to speak directly with a professional counselor or by visiting them online at www.mybalanceworks.com. When contacting EAP, please have our group number (8892) and member ID (59190757) ready. Human Resources is also available to assist you, and can be reached at (859) 622-5094 or.
As always, we ask that you allow our trained law enforcement professionals to provide for the safety of everyone. Individual private protection efforts by well-meaning people will impede our efforts to investigate this case and provide comprehensive security protection in the days ahead. We encourage all members of the campus community to be vigilant in ensuring the safety of themselves and their fellow Colonels. If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity immediately to the EKU Police at (859) 622-1111.
