More to file under "What the Heck is Happening in the World:" there are now three major US universities that have received bombing threats today, and apparently they were credible enough to warrant major action. Both University of Texas in Austin and North Dakota State University were evacuated, with the former allegedly receiving threats from someone claiming connection to al Qaida. The two events, however, appear unrelated. More:
This alert was posted on NDSU's website:
"NDSU is requiring all employees and students to leave campus by 10:15 a.m. This includes residence hall students, who, if necessary, should walk to locations off campus. This also includes the downtown buildings and agricultural facilities. NDSU received a bomb threat, prompting this evacuation. Updates will follow."
The University of Texas has issued an alert on its website ordering an evacuation “due to threats on campus.”
The alert posted shortly before 10 a.m. Friday said people on campus should immediately evacuate all buildings and “get as far away as possible.”
University of Texas director of communications Rhonda Weldon said the university received a call about 8:35 a.m. from a man with a Middle Eastern accent claiming to be with al-Qaeda. The man said he had placed bombs all over the campus that would go off in 90 minutes.
Wheldon said all the buildings were evacuated at 9:50 a.m. as a precaution. She said no bombs have been found.
Thus far, nothing has come of either threat, and it's entirely possible that this is a case of some sick people taking advantage of the situation overseas to cause unnecessary fear. Still, though. Makes you wonder how much chaos a day can handle.