UA students respond to the ‘suspicious package’ incident
Turns out no-one was really bothered
Yesterday at 11:28 AM, the University of Arizona Police Department sent out a mass warning, a “suspicious package” had been seen in McClelland Hall, the home of the Eller College of Management. The incident was quickly resolved by the UAPD bomb squad and by 12:45, the all clear was given and everyone continued about their day.
It seems as though as the semester draws to a close, there has been a number of incidents that are both worrisome and potentially very dangerous. Following last weeks shooting on campus and after yesterday’s bomb threat, students appear to be on edge. It that really the case, or can the stress of finals be mistaken as fear for safety? A quick survey of students around campus gives insight as to the affect this bomb threat had on their day.
Olivia Meyers, Sophomore, Chemistry
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
When I got the email, I thought that it was kind of scary to know that there might be a bomb on campus, but I wasn’t close to that area so it didn’t make a difference to me.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
It seemed kind of weird, it just said there was a suspicious package so it could’ve been anything. They probably just wanted to be safe and check it out.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
Yeah, it made me feel unsafe maybe having a bomb on campus, but I still went about my day.
Craig Sheldon, Senior, Architecture
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
A: Not too much. I was kind of wondering “Am I gonna be able to get to class today?” By the time I actually had class on campus it was already resolved.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
No, I think it was someone just not wanting to take finals.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
Not really.
Dan Jocks, Senior, Architecture
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
I wasn’t on campus yesterday, so all I knew about it was from the UAlerts.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
From what I could perceive from the UAlerts, yes, but it could have been a misunderstanding.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
Off campus, no. Personally I did not feel unsafe, I did feel sorry for anyone involved in that area. If I was in the building and heard that I would definitely feel unsafe.
Jordan Franco, Freshman, Global Studies
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
I didn’t really think about it much because it didn’t really affect me.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
Not really, no.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
No.
Parker Clinkenberg, Freshman, Pre Nursing
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
None at all.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
I just got the update and I really didn’t think about it much. I honestly think it was just someone trying to get out of a final.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
Not really.
John Gallo, Freshman, Education
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
It didn’t affect my day.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
No I did not, because I heard one of the professors say it was a fake bomb left out from one of the previous drills.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
I felt like it was handled in a professional way, so even if there was some risk it would be okay.
Lucero Molina, Sophomore, Anthropology
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
Honestly, it didn’t affect me much. The only thing that concerned me was that two of my close friends were in the building.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
No, because the email didn’t seem so urgent, and them a few minutes later it was resolved.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
I didn’t. Mainly because when I got the email I was driving by the actual building and I didn’t see law enforcement.
Brian Ball, Freshman, Journalism
What kind of effect did the bomb threat yesterday have on your day?
None at all.
Do you feel like it was a legitimate threat?
I didn’t think so, I just heard it from my friend and thought, “This might not be real”.
Did it make you feel unsafe in any way?
No, I just kept on with my day.
Well, the Wildcats have spoken. While it worried some, the incident had absolutely no affect on what appears to be the majority of students. Whether it was a fake bomb or a desperate attempt to avoid an exam, it is clear that not even a “suspicious package” can stop students’ busy lives approaching finals week.