A bomb threat derailed midterm examinations yesterday in both New and Old Cabell Halls and Wilson Hall, causing confusion and scheduling difficulties.
University Police Sgt. Melissa Fielding said a bomb threat was received by telephone at approximately 9:45 a.m. University Police immediately evacuated everyone who was inside the three buildings by using fire alarms.
State police and Albemarle County bomb detection dogs then searched the buildings.
"The buildings were cleared without incident and reopened by 1 p.m.," Fielding said, adding that the probe is ongoing.
"It's an open investigation -- we are working on it and following up leads."
This is the fourth bomb threat received by the University this academic year.
A threat was received at Ruffner Hall in September, and two threats were received at the University Medical Center in November and February, Fielding said.
Making a bomb threat in this matter is in violation of Section 18.2-83 of the Code of Virginia and is punishable as a Class 5 felony, which can result in up to 10 years in prison.
The University was plagued by three separate bomb threats in March 2002.
In the event of a bomb threat, classes are moved to alternate venues according to a relocation plan directed by the University Provost's Office. Classes are not cancelled, according to University spokesperson Carol Wood.
Temporary closing and relocation information is available at the University's snow line at 243-SNOW and online in the lower left corner of the University's Web page.
The threat and evacuation caused confusion for some students going to class.
First-year College student Lauren Bruce said she missed her Spanish 201 class because of the bomb threat.
"I stood on the Lawn for a little while to see what was going on," Bruce said. "Someone said that the police told them that that it was going to be a little while before the building was opened."
Bruce added that despite the inconvenience, the threat gave her more time to study for a later midterm in her Religious Studies class.
"I was a little upset because had I not checked my e-mail when I was at the library, I would not have known where to go for my midterm," Bruce said.
Other students had their midterms postponed.
First-year College student Andres Gil said his midterm will now take place after Spring break because of the bomb threat.
Gil said he was told by his teaching assistant that his Philosophy midterm in New Cabell originally was rescheduled to be immediately taken in Newcomb Hall, but amid the confusion on the Lawn, the class professor was nowhere to be found. Gil's midterm is now postponed.
"I'm happy that it gives me extra time to study for it but I wanted to get it out of the way before Spring Break," he said.
Fielding said University Police are urging anyone with information regarding the threat to call the department at 924-7166 or CrimeStoppers at 977-4000.
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