University of Chicago Closes Campus After Online Threat

The University of Chicago has canceled all classes and activities at its Hyde Park campus after being warned by the FBI of an online threat of gun violence there.

In an alert sent out to the campus community, university president Robert Zimmer said FBI counterterrorism officials said the threat, posted by an unknown individual, specifically mentioned "'the campus quad' on Monday morning at 10 a.m."

"Based on the FBI's assessment of this threat and recent tragic events at other campuses across the country, we have decided in consultation with federal and local law enforcement officials, to exercise caution by canceling all classes and activities on the Hyde Park campus through midnight on Monday," Zimmer said.

There will be an increased police and security presence on and around the campus, he said.

University security personnel are keeping in close contact with the FBI regarding the threat, he said.

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, the University libraries, the Quadrangle Club, and other campus facilities will also be closed on Monday, but the University of Chicago Medical Center will remain open to patients, with added security measures, he said.

Later Sunday evening the school announced that all its charter school campuses would also be closed on Monday, and the Chicago Theological Seminary sent an alert that "due to its proximity to the University of Chicago" it is also closing on Monday.