Villanova closes Thursday after receiving threat against academic building

Villanova reopens campus after threat of violence

Villanova University closed its campus this morning due to a threat of violence. This comes five months after the campus faced two back-to-back threats.

PHILADELPHIA - Villanova University closed on Thursday after officials say the school received "a threat of violence targeted at an academic building." An all-clear alert was issued allowing the university to resume normal operations.

Officials said that Villanova was just one of several universities that received a similar threat on Thursday, though they didn't say which other school were targeted.

What we know:

University officials said the FBI and local police are investigating a threat made against an academic building on campus early Monday morning. 

"While we are ascertaining the validity of the threat, out of an abundance of caution, the University will be closed today and all activities are canceled," they said.

Students were initially told to remain in their residence halls Thursday morning, but were later told the campus was deemed safe by law enforcement.

What they're saying:

Villanova said it will increase the police presence on campus to "ensure the safety of the community."

"The FBI is actively investigating, and our Public Safety department has engaged with federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate," they added.

What's next:

Thursday, January 22

• In-person graduate classes scheduled for this evening may be offered remotely at the discretion of the professor.
• Courses that meet fully online may continue as scheduled. Faculty may exercise discretion as needed.
• Officials said a limited number of campus buildings will be open on Thursday, including main dining halls, Dougherty, Donahue, and St. Mary’s Hall. The Connelly Center, Falvey Memorial Library, the Student Health Center and fitness centers.
• Intramurals scheduled for the evening will be held

.Friday, January 23:

• The university is open with normal operations on Friday.
• All campus buildings will be open, and all classes and planned activities will move forward as scheduled, including the rising sophomore tours scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Villanova University Cabrini Campus.
• The school will issue another update on the developing situation at 9 a.m.

Out of an abundance of caution, there will continue to be an additional Villanova Public Safety presence on campus.