Tufts University Investigates Bomb Threats & Car Fire Over Planned Firing Of Janitors, Forced To Postpone Finals

An early morning car fire at Tufts University has forced school officials to cancel classes and evacuate several buildings on campus. According to reports, responding law enforcement officers discovered a note with specific bomb threats near the burning vehicle. Hours after the car fire was doused, officials remained on the campus doing bomb sweeps.

The car fire at Tufts University was discovered about 4:30 a.m. this morning, and the note, which a Tufts statement described as “suspicious,” reportedly stated that four of the buildings on the main campus had bombs planted within them. Cabot Hall, Breaker Hall, Cohen Hall, the Tisch Library, the Tisch Sports Complex, and the Health Services building were evacuated, swept for bombs, and secured. According to the Boston Globe, K-9 units were deployed into the buildings and surrounding areas beginning at about 9 a.m.

Car fire on Tufts campus along with reports of bomb threats this morning. Photos by @TuftsDaily’s @EvanSayles pic.twitter.com/XqS8p3ZfTt

— Nicholas Pfosi (@npfosi) May 9, 2016

The car fire was discovered on Tufts University main campus in Medford/Somerville, at 124 Professors Row. The address is said to be the location of the campus’ health center and is about two miles north of Harvard University. A handwritten note detailing the bomb threats was found nearby, taped to the door of the health center, and apparently made reference to an ongoing and long-running labor dispute between the campus’ administrators and their janitorial staff. The statement released by the school officials advised all students and non-essential staff to return home, as all morning activities, including final exams, would have to be postponed. An email was sent out with the details at about 9:30 this morning. The information was also posted around campus.

“Medford/Somerville staff are asked to return home, with the exception of essential employees who are asked to remain on campus. Students are asked to remain in their residences this morning until further notice.”

Although classes for this semester were already officially over, the students are in the midst of final examinations. At this time, it is unclear whether or not the bomb threats will also force Tufts to postpone the final exams scheduled for the afternoon.

Last spring, numerous Tufts students went on a hunger strike for five days in a bid to prevent a long-planned firing of 35 janitors. Tufts University spokeswoman Mary Jeka has stated, however, that until further investigation is carried out, there is no way to verify if the dispute regarding firing the janitors is genuinely connected to the car fire and bomb threat. Representatives of those involved in the dispute about the janitors — administrators, staff, students, and union organizers alike — all declared that they had had no part in setting the car fire and would never condone any violent action, including bomb threats.

Multiple law enforcement officials at the federal, state, and local level — reportedly 12 different agencies — have responded to and are engaged in the investigation at the university. The car fire seems to have been set to a random vehicle rather than a specific target. The owner of the car was identified as Michelle Bowdler, who is the senior director of health and wellness service at Health Services As of this writing, she has declined to comment on the incident.

As the investigation continues, Patch.com has stated that police in Somerville are asking that members of the public stay away from the campus until further notice. They also issued a Facebook message with the request.

“Residents are advised to remain off campus and to seek alternate routes this morning. Police will remain on scene throughout the morning to continue their investigations. Updated notification will be sent when the area has been cleared.”

Officials have stated that pending the results of the investigation into the bomb threats at Tufts University, students will be notified regarding the status of the afternoon exams.

[Photo by Steven Senne/AP Images]