Campuses on High Alert After Coordinated Threats
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, a wave of threats swept across four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), forcing them to implement emergency safety protocols, including campus-wide lockdowns and class cancellations. The targeted institutions were Alabama State University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, and Southern University in Baton Rouge. The incidents prompted immediate responses from campus officials and law enforcement, who are actively investigating the origin and credibility of the threats.
Virginia Universities Implement Emergency Measures
In Virginia, two prominent HBCUs took swift action on Thursday morning. Virginia State University (VSU) issued an “urgent alert” around 8:30 a.m. ET, declaring the campus closed due to a “potential threat.” The university took comprehensive measures to ensure safety:
- All classes for Thursday were canceled.
- Students already on campus were instructed to remain indoors.
- Students and staff off campus were told not to come to the university.
- All VSU employees were instructed to work remotely.
Similarly, Hampton University announced it had received a potential threat and ceased all non-essential activities. The university canceled all classes and campus events for both Thursday, September 11, and Friday, September 12. In a public statement, Hampton officials encouraged students on campus to minimize their movement and instructed all non-essential personnel to leave immediately. Enhanced security measures were put into effect as the university began working with local authorities to monitor the situation.
Alabama State and Southern University Respond to Threats
Alabama State University (ASU) in Montgomery confirmed it had received what it described as “terrorist threats.” Out of an abundance of caution, the university shut down all campus operations. A spokesperson for ASU stated, “We are working in close coordination with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and to ensure the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader ASU community,” as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com. The university emphasized that the safety of its community is its highest priority.
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Southern University also placed its campus on lockdown after receiving a potential threat to campus security. The lockdown was extensive, covering the entire Baton Rouge landmass, which includes the Southern University Law Center, the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, and the Southern University Laboratory School. Anyone on campus was instructed to shelter in place until an all-clear was given.
A Disturbing and Recurring Pattern
The coordinated nature of these threats is particularly alarming as it echoes a similar series of events from recent years. In February 2022, at least 14 HBCUs across the country received bomb threats, many of which occurred on the first day of Black History Month. Those incidents caused widespread disruption and fear, prompting calls for increased security funding and federal investigations into what many viewed as racially motivated attacks.
As of now, the specific nature of the threats against the four universities remains unclear, and law enforcement agencies are actively investigating their source. University officials continue to provide updates to their respective communities as more information becomes available, reiterating their commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.
