HBCUs Lock Down Campuses After Unspecified Threats

Lead On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Virginia State University, Hampton University and Alabama State University enacted precautionary lockdowns after receiving unspecified campus threats.

Nut Graf The swift campus closures highlight growing security concerns at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as administrators prioritize student and staff safety amid an unclear threat landscape.

Campus Responses Virginia State University issued an early‐morning emergency alert, directing all on-campus individuals to shelter in place and canceling classes while law enforcement investigated. Hampton University suspended all non-essential activities through Friday, urging off-campus students to stay away and on-campus residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. Alabama State University halted campus operations and instructed students and staff to avoid buildings, coordinating closely with local police to assess the threat.

Regional Impact

• Southern University (Louisiana) and Bethune-Cookman University (Florida) reported similar precautionary shutdowns, underscoring a broader regional alert among HBCUs.
• Campus police increased patrols and set up additional security checkpoints across affected sites.

Next Steps Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the origin and credibility of the threats. Universities have ramped up counseling services and scheduled safety forums to address community concerns. Monitoring of official communications remains crucial as updates become available.