University Closing Updates

Updates on Saint Xavier University Closing
April 14, 2008

The multi-agency investigation into threatening graffiti found in Regina Hall continues. The Saint Xavier University campuses remain closed until further notice. Students and non-essential personnel will not be allowed on campus during this period. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and ask that you visit update.sxu.edu regularly for continued updates regarding when the University will re-open. Please call our hotline for additional information: 1-800-462-9288 or 1-866-209-9945.

April 13, 2008
The multi-agency investigation into threatening graffiti written in Regina Hall continues. The Saint Xavier University campuses remain closed until further notice.
The well being of our University community remains our primary concern.
Students and non-essential personnel will not be allowed on campus during this period. Students who live too far away to travel home have been provided with hotel accommodations. Others who could not afford travel were assisted with transportation.

We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and ask that you visit update.sxu.edu regularly for continued updates regarding when the University will re-open. Please call our hotline for additional information at 1-800-462-9288.

April 12, 2008 - Student Teaching / MATL Update

All University classes, including all nursing clinicals and all field based MATL classes, and all off campus cohort classes at all sites, are canceled until further notice. The sites will be notified of this situation by, as appropriate, the School of Nursing and the School of Education. Upon the reopening of classes, Nursing students should consult with their advisor.

Student teachers unable to reach their sites because of the closing of the University will be excused from attendance. All sites will be notified that student teachers may not be at the site. Student teachers will receive an email notifying them when the regular schedule is being resumed.

April 11, 2008 - Statement from President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.
Saint Xavier University closed

I would like to quote from Saint Xavier University’s mission statement.
Saint Xavier University, a Catholic institution inspired by the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, educates men and women to search for truth, to think critically, to communicate effectively, and to serve wisely and compassionately in support of human dignity and the common good.
The University commits itself to practicing eight core values as it engages in a search for truth and knowledge. We commit to the values of Respect, Excellence, Compassion, Service, Hospitality, Integrity, Diversity, and Learning for Life.

Two instances of threatening graffiti found on April 5 and April 10 in Regina Hall, a freshman residence hall, have violated the spirit of these values. On the considered advice of the multiple law enforcement agencies pursuing the case, we have chosen to close Saint Xavier University indefinitely beginning tonight due to the specific nature of the second message found on April 10, which read: “Be prepared to die 4/14.”

The closure applies to all University sites, including the Chicago and Orland Park campuses and its Loop location at the Chicago Bar Association. Classes in all university regional locations are also cancelled. Any community events held on campus are still scheduled. The director of auxiliary services will be contacting the event planner to discuss details.

As part of the closure of the campus we ask that students leave campus by noon, Saturday, April 12. Students who may not be able to easily return home or afford transportation should call (773) 341-5060 for assistance. On Saturday and Sunday, Student Affairs personnel will be on hand to assist students and answer questions. The University will take every action possible to ensure that students’ academic careers are disrupted as little as possible.

Individual vice presidents will decide which of their personnel are essential and must work during the time the University is closed.

We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and ask that you visit update.sxu.edu regularly for continued updates regarding when the University will re-open. Please call our hotline for additional information at 1-800-462-9288.

During this process we have relied heavily on the advice and direction of our dedicated law enforcement agencies to ensure that actions and communications regarding this matter protect the safety of all involved. We are deeply grateful for their continued guidance and support. Below this message, please find a summary of events leading up to this difficult decision.

Sincerely,

Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.,President


The following is an overview of events regarding Regina Hall:

Late Saturday afternoon, April 5, graffiti of a threatening but non-specific nature was discovered in one of the bathroom stalls in Regina Hall. The incident was reported by staff to the Saint Xavier University Police Department, which in turn contacted the Chicago Police Department.
On finding the first message, Saint Xavier immediately increased professional Residence Life staff in Regina Hall and began dialogs with individual residents.

SXU Police and the Chicago Police increased patrols and have remained on alert for any unusual behavior or activity. While the credibility of the first threat was difficult to determine, the university believed it prudent to err on the side of caution and take several preliminary steps. The professional Residence Life staff in Regina Hall was increased, and officers from the Saint Xavier Police Force remained on alert for any unusual behavior or activity. The Chicago Police Department Area 2 Detective Division responded to campus with evidence technicians, several support officers and increased CPD patrols.

A second threatening message was found in Regina on Thursday, April 10, this one specifically citing April 14. Officers have conducted an aggressive investigation throughout the week. The investigation remains open at this time. Anyone who may have any information that may be helpful in this investigation is asked to call Saint Xavier’s confidential hotline at (773) 298-3838.

April 10, 2008

Additional writing of a threatening nature was discovered on a wall in Regina Hall this morning, April 10. Saint Xavier University continues to work with law enforcement agencies on this matter. Please visit http://www.sxu.edu/relations/regina.asp for updates.

John P. Pelrine, Jr.Vice President for Student Affairs


April 9, 2008

To students, faculty and staff:

Late Saturday afternoon, graffiti was discovered in one of the bathroom stalls in Regina Hall. The incident was reported by Residence Life staff to the Department of Public Safety. Public Safety reported it to the Chicago Police Department. The text of the message, although not specifically directed towards any individual or group, was of a threatening nature.While the credibility of this threat, which lacked any type of specificity, is difficult to determine, we did think it prudent to error on the side of caution and take several preliminary steps. Over the weekend, the professional Residence Life staff in Regina Hall was increased, and officers from Public Safety remained on alert for any unusual behavior or activity. The Chicago Police Department Area 2 Detective Division responded to campus with evidence technicians, several support officers and increased CPD patrols.

A follow-up meeting was conducted on Monday with Area 2 Detectives and representatives from Counseling and Career Services, Residence Life and Public Safety. The investigation remains open at this time. We ask that anyone who may have any information that may be helpful in this investigation, to please call our confidential hotline at extension 3838.

Meetings to discuss the matter with the student residents of Regina Hall have been scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. These meetings will be conducted by professional Residence Life staff members and Public Safety officers.

We are sending letters containing this information to parents, but we ask that students forward this electronic message to parents as well.

John P. Pelrine, Jr.Vice President for Student Affairs