Update: 2:03 p.m.
The bomb threat has been deemed not credible, according to an email by University Communications.
“At approximately 11:30 a.m. this morning, the Fresno State Police Department was notified of a potential bomb threat at our residence halls, University House, and a professor’s residence,” Jennifer Curwick, interim Chief of Police, wrote.
The email also said that the bomb threat appears to be related to a social media post.
Libs of TikTok is a social media account the Anti-Defamation League describes as attempting “to generate outrage and stoke anti-LGBTQ+ hostility by reposting selected out-of-context social media content created by LGBTQ+ people and liberals. The individuals, events and organizations targeted by the account are frequent targets of harassment, threats and violence.”
On Sep. 27, Libs of TikTok made a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, bringing attention to Ida Jones, a Fresno State professor. The post derided Jones for requiring students to use pronouns in class.
“A submission from 2022 on Rate My Professors claims this professor “removed a large amount of points… because I didn’t address my pronouns,” Libs of TikTok wrote on their post, referring to a screenshot of a RateMyProfessor review from a student that took Jones’ class in the fall semester of 2022.
“We strongly condemn any actions that threaten the safety and security of our campus community. We are working diligently to identify the source of this threat and will take appropriate action in accordance with our university policies and local law enforcement,” Curwick wrote in her email.
Curwick also encouraged students to seek support at the Student Health and Counseling Center.
Sep. 28, 1:01 p.m.
The dorms and dining hall are currently being evacuated after a threat directed toward the residence halls.
The threat investigation began at 12:18 p.m.
Students were originally asked to evacuate to parking lot P27. The evacuation point has since been moved to the Student Rec. Center.
“When we got this alert, I was brushing my teeth in my cozy boxers and then I don’t know what happened. The alarm just went off and there’s like people shouting just leave, hurry up. I’m like, I don’t feel comfortable going out like this, but they’re like, just go just go,” said Drashik Gogia, a sophomore at Fresno State. “Now they’re saying that they’re going to relocate us, everyone who lives at the dorms to the Rec. Center.”
The Fresno State Police Department and Fresno Police are currently investigating the situation.
“We are actively working to keep the campus community informed right now. Updated information will be posted here: https://alert.fresnostate.edu/index.html,” said Lisa Bell, public information officer for University Communications.
According to Fresno State Alert, campus will remain open as normal, but some professors have chosen to transition their classes to Zoom.
“Hello all! So I’ve received multiple texts regarding a police investigating a threat on campus, and it keeps moving around, apparently, as multiple locations on campus are currently on lockdown or have been evacuated. I think it might be best if we move class to zoom today, because I do not want to miss today, but mostly, I don’t know what the hell is going on and I don’t want to endanger anyone by forcing them to go to class and I’m worried about my entire family who is currently on campus and its freakin’ me out,” said a professor in a Canvas announcement.
“As many of you know, campus police are investigating a bomb threat at one of the dorms. I hope none of you are displaced. If so, please let me know, and I will do my best to help,” another professor said. “The lack of transparency from the university is disconcerting, and I do not want to put anyone, including myself, at risk.”
Disabled students have faced difficulties with the evacuation.
Sarah Porter, a hard of hearing student, said first responders are moving too quickly and not properly relaying information.
“They are updating the students, but not slowing down and speaking to the hearing impaired. It took me going up to them, and they said they would give me a gift card as compensation,” Porter said.
Police dogs are on the premises investigating.
Law enforcement cleared the impacted buildings at 1:53 p.m. and the threat was deemed not credible.
This story was updated on Oct. 2.
