Threats to Campus

It is possible, although highly unlikely, that you could receive a threatening telephone call or letter, receive a suspicious parcel, or discover a suspicious object somewhere on the premises.

IF YOU RECEIVE A TELEPHONE THREAT

A telephone threat is defined as a call to notify the College or a specific person of a threat of violence or danger such as a location of a bomb or intent to shoot or kill someone on campus. If you receive such a call:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest. Try to keep the caller talking so that you can gather more information. Use any means, even humor, to prolong the conversation. This will provide a better chance to identify the voice and hopefully obtain additional information about the device, the validity of the threat, or the identity of the caller.
  3. Use this information to question the caller in a polite and non-interrogative manner.
  4. Upon completion of the call, immediately notify College Police at (540) 365-4444 and complete the report as soon as possible while the incident is fresh in your memory.
  5. Do not discuss the threat with other persons except as instructed.

WRITTEN THREAT/SUSPICIOUS PARCEL

A suspicious item is defined as anything that is out of place and cannot be accounted for or any item suspected of being an explosive or otherwise harmful device. If you receive a written threat or a suspicious parcel or if you find a suspicious object anywhere on campus:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Keep anyone from handling it or going near it.
  3. Do not use portable radio equipment or a cell phone within 100 feet of the suspicious item.
  4. Notify College Police at (540) 365-4444 immediately and follow their instructions. Do not discuss the threat with other persons except as instructed.
  5. Promptly write down everything you can remember about receiving the letter or parcel or finding the object to provide to the police.