UPDATE 2:50 PM Wednesday: SOU leaders announced the reopening of campus at 5 AM Thursday.
The notice came with the following statement: "Although there is no indication of a continuing threat, all members of the campus community should have a heightened awareness of their surroundings and immediately report any suspicious activity, including threatening or concerning activity on social media. Reports can be made by dialing 911, contacting Campus Public Safety at 541-552-6911, or by utilizing an Emergency Blue Light Phone."
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The campus of Southern Oregon University in Ashland is closed today after a threatening note was found in a building on campus yesterday evening.
SOU spokesperson Ryan Brown says school administration immediately reported the threat to police.
“SOU administration last night, in consultation with law enforcement, determined that the best course of action following that note being found was to cancel all classes and activities and close campus for today, Wednesday,” Brown said.
The threat is currently under investigation by the Ashland Police Department. Neither police nor the university will discuss the contents of the note or the exact nature of the threat.
Brown said recent events have heightened concerns for campus safety.
"Obviously, with the tragedy up in Roseburg, at Umpqua Community College, everyone’s awareness is elevated and I would say that there is an abundance of caution being used."
SOU Campus Public Safety and the Ashland Police Department will maintain an increased presence in areas of the campus occupied by students and essential staff, such as student housing and food service facilities.
The SOU/RCC Higher Education Center in Medford is not impacted and will remain open.
There has been a rash of threats against schools in the wake of the Roseburg shootings last week. Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay and Rogue Community College in Medford, Grants Pass and White City have all closed in the past week in response to threats. Ashland High School summoned police after a potential threat and students were held in school until the threat was cleared.
