Columbia, Cornell, Brown evacuate campuses following bomb threats

Three Ivy League universities evacuated parts of their campuses after receiving bomb threats on Sunday.

Columbia, Cornell and Brown cleared parts of their campuses on Sunday, though Columbia noted later that its bomb threat was “deemed not credible by the NYPD.”

“Following an investigation, today’s bomb threats were deemed not credible by the NYPD and the campus buildings have been cleared for reoccupancy. We thank those individuals affected for their patience and cooperation in evacuating,” Columbia tweeted on Sunday.

UPDATE: Following an investigation, today’s bomb threats were deemed not credible by the NYPD and the campus buildings have been cleared for reoccupancy. We thank those individuals affected for their patience and cooperation in evacuating.

— Columbia University (@Columbia) November 7, 2021

Brown issued an all-clear for the campus shortly before 6 p.m., after police conducted a thorough search of the buildings, the Washington Post reported. 

Shortly after, Cornell tweeted that no credible threats were found and “It is safe to resume all normal activities.”

CornellALERT: Law enforcement has concluded search of the Ithaca campus; no credible threats were found. It is safe to resume all normal activities.

— Cornell University (@Cornell) November 8, 2021

Columbia University issued a campuswide emergency alert earlier in the afternoon after receiving bomb threats to several buildings. The Columbia Daily Spectator, the university’s newspaper, reported that two university buildings were evacuated as a result.

Cornell University issued an alert on Twitter and its website urging students, staff and others on the campus to evacuate its law school and several other university buildings.

“Ithaca Campus Police investigation of bomb threat ongoing, building sweeps are in progress. Please continue to avoid central campus,” Cornell tweeted.

Brown University also evacuated part of its campus due to a bomb threat.

“After receiving a bomb threat by phone, Brown University’s Department of Public Safety evacuated several buildings near the university’s College Green. Officers are on site actively investigating with local law enforcement,” Brian Clark, a spokesperson for Brown, told The Hill in a statement.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the bomb threats or if the three were coordinated.