A bomb threat at the University of Connecticut’s Waterbury campus on Sunday was not credible, according to a university spokesperson.
At approximately 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, students received a text and email alert from UConn’s alert system.
“There is an ongoing investigation at the Waterbury campus. Avoid the area and stay alert,” the message said.
Recipients were directed to alert.uconn.edu.
According to deputy university spokesperson Michael Enright, a written statement was released on Sunday morning regarding the threat.
“A bomb threat made by phone directed at the UConn Waterbury campus was received by the Waterbury Police Department on Sunday morning,” the statement said. “The building, which is normally closed on Sundays, is currently being searched by police.”
At approximately 1:30 p.m., students received an all-clear alert.
“The incident at the Waterbury campus has been cleared. It is safe to resume normal activity,” the alert said.
Enright said that the threat was not credible and that university operations were not impacted.
“Through inspection by UConn and state police the threat was found to be noncredible,” Enright said. “The UConn Waterbury campus is closed on Sundays so did not affect any operations.”
According to WFSB, similar bomb threats were issued across Connecticut on Sunday and dispatch officials said that bomb threats were probably related.
According to a university website, student information from the Student Administration System is automatically enrolled into the alert system.
“During emergency and initial response operations, there may be a delay in messages and updates on this site after the initial UConnALERT is distributed,” the website says. “This is due to incoming information from the field being processed and communicated.”
A UConn website states that all bomb threats should be taken seriously, and people should always assume that bomb threats are real.
“Since this type of threat may require the evacuation of buildings, a quick and organized response is essential to minimize the risk to students, faculty, staff and visitors,” the website says.