Shelter-in-place lifted after bomb threat at Brandeis University

WALTHAM, Mass. — A bomb threat at Brandeis University leaves many parents on edge during one of the university’s move in days.

The campus was shut down for hours and people were told to shelter in place.

The university officials someone called in the bomb threat just before 11 a.m. Police spent hours sweeping the campus but gave the all clear at around 2 p.m. after finding no evidence.

“I mean first COVID and now this,” Kai Gallman said.

Gallman and his mother, Kim drove 70 miles from North Kingstown, Rhode Island to move him into his freshman dorm room.

“I was supposed to be moving in right now,” he said as the campus remained on lockdown.

Because of COVID-19 and social distancing, Brandeis spread out its move-in over a two week period. On Thursday, 140 students were scheduled in time slots to move into the dorms.

“I was supposed to move in at 11. My move in on the website says 11 to 12,” Gallman said. “They just said shelter in place for everyone already on campus and for everyone not on campus just stay away.”

The students were still able to move-in, only a few hours behind schedule.

But now what’s typically an emotional day for students and parents, topped with coronavirus and a bomb threat, has some parents extra anxious leaving their children behind.

“He’s a triplet so he’s the first of the 3 to move in so it is, it’s definitely unsettling to hear on the way here that ‘there’s a bomb threat.’ That definitely makes a mom feel a little nervous,” Kim Gallman said.

Brandeis University says there were about 650 students already moved in on campus when the bomb threat was made. Classes begin next Wednesday.

Cox Media Group