Amid speculation involving a student who had been banned from the Oakland University campus earlier this month, some faculty made the decision to cancel classes on Tuesday.
That’s the assessment from the Oakland University Police Department.
A social media post interpreted as a possible threat kept some students and staff away from Varner Hall on Oct. 29. The post was made by a student who was removed from student housing and campus on Oct. 17.
“As you recall, a student made threats against a SMTD (School of Music, theater and Dance) faculty member and was banned from campus,” Aaron Kinzel, criminal justice professor wrote in an email to his students. “Apparently the student is now tagging on social media anyone who filed a behavioral concern form and has said he is coming back to campus.”
OUPD Chief Mark Gordon said nothing was confirmed by the department and they were not anticipating taking an action on campus, but did suggest that the one concerned faculty member should stay off campus for the day if they wanted.
Some faculty did alert their students they would switch to virtual classes for the day, but no extra security measures were initiated and no one was ever in danger, according to the OUPD.
The original threats by the student were made on Oct. 9 and 10 and described by the OUPD as “multiple reports of a remark made on social media.” The matter was handled by the OU Dean of Students Office.
Gordon said OUPD did not begin an investigation until more threats were made on Oct. 17. Gordon said the original threats and the newly discovered threats, one of which was a recording, were made against other students and a professor.
“The Dean of Students (Office) was still doing their part, because the actions of the student had not risen above a law violation and that was what our opinion was originally,” said Gordon. “Yes, it was social media, yes, it was concerning, yes, it appears this individual could use some intervention efforts, but there was no law violation.”
But the threats investigated on Oct. 17 were viewed as “the student stepping up his game” by implying he would shoot other students.
“In my opinion, that ups the threat level quite a bit from the other social media posts and that was when we decided it was time to remove him from campus,” said Gordon. “He upped the ante that day.”
The investigation showed there was sufficient cause to remove the student from campus housing and be put on interim suspension.
The student was issued a Persona Non Grata (PNG) order by the Dean of Students Office that prohibited them from being on campus at any time and for any reason.
According to the university, the student and the Office of Student Affairs had planned a virtual meeting with the student this week to discuss the behavior.
The student will be arrested for trespassing for violating the PNG if they return to campus during the suspension.
Some students and staff stay away from OU campus after social media threat