Buildings closed and classes canceled in three U of M buildings due to threat of violence

Contacts: Daniel Wolter, University News Service, (612) 624-5551

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (04/30/2009) — The University of Minnesota will be closing three buildings on its West Bank campus due to a time specific threat of violence obtained by law enforcement – and canceling classes in those three buildings. Those buildings include the Carlson School of Management, Hanson Hall and the Hubert H. Humphrey Center. All classes and activities beginning at or after 3:45 are cancelled and the buildings will close at 4:30 p.m.

"This was a very specific threat of violence targeted at these three buildings," said University Police Chief Greg Hestness. "We are erring on the side of caution by canceling classes and activities and closing the buildings. We’re actively investigating this threat."

The Humphrey Institute’s "Changing Competitive Position of Public Research Universities" lecture has been moved to 5 Blegen Hall. The threat was specific enough that regular operations will resume on Friday morning.

University officials added the building closures had nothing to do with the H1N1 (swine) virus.