Students, staff encouraged to stay away from OU campus after threat – The Oakland Press

On October 30, 2024By Karl

A possible threat sent students and staff away from Varner Hall on Tuesday as Oakland University continues to deal with the problem.

Professors sent emails and messages to students Tuesday morning regarding the possibility of a student returning to campus.

“As you may recall, a student made threats against an SMTD (School of Music, Theater and Dance) faculty member and was banned from campus,” criminal justice professor Aaron Kinzel said in an email to his students. “Apparently the student is now tagging anyone on social media who fills out a behavioral concern form and says they will be returning to campus.”

“Chief Gordon advised that anyone concerned for their safety should stay away from campus today,” Kinzel wrote.

Teresa Benz, associate professor of criminal justice, also sent an email to students Tuesday.

“Apparently a student threatened to shoot Varner Hall,” he wrote. “The police are aware and aware of who the student is and take action. However, I will not be coming to my campus office in Varner Hall.

According to the university, the student was suspended from campus before Tuesday, and the Registrar’s Office scheduled a virtual meeting with the student this week to discuss the behavior.

“As of this time, the Oakland University Police Department (OUPD) has not seen any direct specific threats that are legally actionable,” the university said in a statement. “OUPD is monitoring the student’s social media accounts and has requested the FBI’s assistance in analyzing behavior and posts.”

The original threats were made on October 9 and were described by OUPD as “multiple reporting of a comment made on social media.” Following an investigation the next day, a campus police advisory was issued stating that there was no credible threat.

According to campus police, additional threats were also issued on October 10, and the student who sent them was issued a Persona Non Grata (PNG) order by the Dean of Students, prohibiting him from being on campus for any reason at any time, and the student was escorted away. off campus.

On October 10, Music professor Alta Boover sent an email to other professors canceling her lecture that day and advising them to avoid Varner Hall.

“(Professor of Music) Mike Mitchell reported serious concerns about student behavior to the Dean of Students office after learning that a student had made threats against Mike to other students,” he wrote. “Out of an abundance of caution, I have decided to cancel today’s classes and encourage you to do the same.”

If the student returns to campus during suspension, he or she will be arrested for trespassing for violation of PNG.