Fort Valley State University lifts lockdown after Tuesday morning bomb threat

Fort Valley State University was the latest in a string of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to receive a bomb threat in the past two days, initially locking down campus while law enforcement investigated the threat.

FVSU announced Tuesday morning it had received a threat and suspended all campus operations for the day, canceling classes and asking residential students to stay in their dorms. Tuesday afternoon, the university lifted the lockdown.

“The Fort Valley State University Campus Police and Safety has completed its initial investigation of the bomb threat received earlier this morning,” the university announced. “The FVSU Campus Police and local and state law enforcement agencies searched all campus facilities and have issued an all-clear. It is safe to return to campus.

“As a precaution and until further notice, students and employees will be required to use their FVSU Identification cards to enter the campus and buildings on campus.”

Normal campus operations will resume Wednesday.

Several HBCUs have received bomb threats as Black History Month begins, including Atlanta’s Spelman College, Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, Alcorn State University in Mississippi, Philander Smith College and Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Arkansas, Shorter College in North Little Rock, Arkansas.