When this was announced to students on Monday October 5th, all I could remember was thinking back to February and how EKU's response led to a marked decrease of students on campus on the day the threat was supposed to be carried out. I couldnt believe the response then and I didnt think it would get worse...I WAS WRONG...
Today October 7th... Students were greeted with announcements that EKU was closing all campuses today starting at 10:00 AM and to be closed October 8th and 9th. The following is an announcement from EKU President Michael Benson.
"Dear Campus Community:
When you choose to learn or work at this university, you become part of the EKU family. This week I have asked each of you to look out for each other and work together following a disturbing threat of violence on our campus. My sincere thanks for the solidarity you have demonstrated, and the genuine care and concern many of you have expressed for your fellow Colonels.
To allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation of the continuing threat and ensure the safety of our campus community, classes at all EKU campuses were canceled today beginning at 10:00 am; and the University will be closed Thursday, October 8 – Friday, October 9. We will resume full campus operations following Fall Break on Wednesday, October 14.
As we make this adjustment to our operations, I ask for your continued patience and cooperation. I ask employees to complete the workday today to prepare for providing essential campus services the remainder of the week. More information will be forthcoming on employee responsibilities and assignments.
Our primary goals in assessing this situation are limiting any safety risks and avoiding disruption to learning and teaching. While we are confident the responding team of law enforcement agencies has kept a watchful eye over our community and is diligently investigating the threat, it has become clear this incident continues to be unsettling to a number of our students, faculty and staff.
Understandably, this modification to our academic schedule will raise many questions. In addition to our regular communications, we will continue to post updates on campus services and events athttp://police.eku.edu/public-safety-alert-updates.
We must continue to look out for each other and strive to create and maintain a safe environment where faculty can teach, staff can serve, and students can learn.
Thank you for your continued diligence. As with challenges in the past, this one will be met and we will move forward – together – in the coming weeks and months.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Benson"
What is particularly disturbing about all of this is the fact that Students over the age of 21 are prohibited from conceal carrying on campus even though they possess Kentucky's CCDW permit. Also they cancel classes but they have chosen not to cancel other events going on campus like the Football game on October 8th. Of course it should be noted that this entire week is mid-term week with most students having exams. What is also of note is that EKU is on fall break October 12th and 13th next week.. This announcement today effectively gives students a fall break from October 7th to October 13th..
This response will be seen to the Terrorist that wrote the threat as a sign of victory for themselves and a sign of weakness on the part of EKU. This will undoubtedly fuel future events like this perhaps allowing those that write the threats to become even more bold and more threatening.. Maybe EKU will respond with calling off an entire week of classes next time. But one thing is for certain, Students are getting the shaft with this ordeal, academically, constitutionally, and financially as these incidents have caused tens of thousands of dollars to be spent responding to the threats which students no doubt will be made to pay for in the future,
****** UPDATE*******
EKU's Football game originally at home on Thursday has been moved to Georgetown....
Center For the Arts Events have been cancelled.....
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