Threat Resolved
November 10, 2014
The following message was sent earlier this afternoon to the Skidmore community by
W. Rochelle Calhoun, dean of students and vice president for student affairs, regarding
a bomb threat that led to the closing of all academic buildings and the cancellation
of morning classes.
Dear Skidmore community,
I want you to know that as of noon, the bomb threat we received earlier today has
been resolved. The Saratoga Springs Police and officers and canine units from the
Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, and Schenectady Police
Department working with the College’s Campus Safety office, completed a thorough sweep
of the campus and declared it safe for classes and other operations to resume. Thankfully,
no one was hurt during this incident.
We became aware of this threat at approximately 7:30 a.m. when a student found a note
on campus that said a bomb had been placed in an academic building. Campus Safety
was immediately notified and the College’s Emergency Response Team ordered the cancellation
of classes and the immediate closure of all academic buildings. Police then began
sweeping all academic buildings with canine units.
The vigilance of our students was central to the safe and quick resolution of this
matter and we are encouraging all members of the campus community to continue to attend
to their surroundings and to report any additional notes or suspicious items to Campus
Safety.
I also want to thank again the many offices who responded so swiftly and professionally
to this situation including Campus Safety, Dining Services (who provided a safe and
comfortable space for faculty, staff and students), our staff in Communications, Facilities
and Residential Life, and the members of the College’s Emergency Response Group. Their
work was critical to the prompt resolution of this matter.
I do want to remind everyone that campus counseling is available to meet with anyone
who might want to talk with them and Residence Life staff are also willing to talk
with students.
We believe that there is no immediate threat to our community. The Skidmore College
Department of Campus Safety and the Saratoga Springs Police Department are requesting
anyone with information regarding the bomb threat that was reported today to contact:
• (518) 580-8477 (Skidmore College TIPS Hotline)
• (518) 584-1800 (Saratoga Springs Police Department)
• (518) 584-8477 (Saratoga Springs Police Department TIPS Hotline)
All calls are confidential.
Sincerely,
W. Rochelle Calhoun
Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs