Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, decided to move classes online and cancel on-campus activities from Sept. 16-22 following threats received by the school as recently as Monday, according to a campus alert.
The cancellation comes in the wake of false allegations made by former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating residents’ pets. Officials in Springfield have said the claims are unfounded.
“Wittenberg is continuing to take precautions due to ongoing threats the University has received in recent days. As the threats continue to be assessed by Wittenberg police, local law enforcement, and the FBI, all classes and most operations will be delivered remotely until at least Sunday, Sept. 22, and on-campus activities and events are canceled,” the alert said.
It also noted that “Wittenberg Police Division and Springfield Police Department will continue with increased presence in and around our campus.”
Wittenberg University President Michael Frandsen appeared on CNN to talk about the threats.
“Some have been very general, some have been specific and actually named students,” Frandsen said on CNN, per reports from POLITICO.
Since the false claims, The Associated Press (AP) reported that the city has experienced more than 30 bomb threats.
