Cypress College Threat Resolved; Campus Opening at 12 Noon on March 5, 2018
OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNICATIONS
For Immediate Release
March 5, 2018
Marc Posner, Director of Campus Communications
Office: (714) 484-7006 or Cell: (714) 493-6626
CYPRESS, California — On the evening of Sunday, March 4, 2018, Cypress College Campus Safety received a notification from the police about a threat from a former student that was deemed credible and timely. The Cypress College and NOCE Cypress Center were immediately put on lockdown and students and staff were notified of the closure via emergency text and email.
The person of interest was a former Cypress College student with a history at the campus that raised this tip to a credible threat. He was subject to student discipline and subsequently arrested in 2016 for felony vandalism on campus. He has also been on campus three times over the last two weeks displaying erratic behavior.
The former student has been detained by local law enforcement, and the campus has been cleared for opening at 12 noon today, Monday, March 5, 2018. Classes that start at 12 noon or after will be held today. The Cypress College campus administration is confident that thorough steps were taken to address the threat.
“Thank you to the Cypress and Whittier police departments and the Cypress College campus community for their quick response to this issue,” said Cypress College President Dr. JoAnna Schilling. “I am proud to say that our emergency processes and procedures worked and that our campus immediately reached out to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend a campus forum on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at noon at CCCPLX-414 to hear from Dr. Schilling and Campus Safety, to ask questions, and address any concerns. In addition, the campus community members are encouraged to share feedback via an online form at http://bit.ly/2FgsTkU.
Cypress College and NOCE take safety very seriously and encourage all students, faculty and staff members to immediately report incidents and/or suspicious behavior to Campus Safety at (714) 484-7387. In the case of an immediate threat, you should dial 9-1-1 and ask someone nearby to simultaneously contact Campus Safety for the most efficient response. Students, faculty, and staff members are reminded to adhere to safety tips such as walking in groups and utilizing Campus Safety escorts.
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