In response to bomb threats in the AUC, the Atlanta University Center Consortium joined representatives from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, Morris Brown College, Robert W. Woodruff Library and the Interdenominational Theological Center to receive emergency response training.
Atlanta – Multiple bomb threats to HBCU’s around the country as well as in the Atlanta University Center prompted the need for addressing the need for safety of students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 57 historically Black colleges, universities and houses of worship were targeted by bomb threats in 2022 between Jan. 4 and Feb. 16, then between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
“We needed to make sure that we secure all of our campuses and deal with the stress and the anxiety that these kinds of things raise in our communities,” AUCC Executive Director Michael Hodge said of the training. “These things are historical in Black communities, and it’s important we deal with them head-on.”
Head-on meant partnering with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the federal agency leading the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to cyber and physical infrastructure. The agency provides, “Just In Time,” trainings to address current issues and needs of businesses, organizations and institutions and provide foundational knowledge on the risk management process and managing bomb threats. The Bomb Threat Management course provided insight to protocol and common scenarios. In addition to institutions in the AUC, more than 30 HBCU’s around the country joined in the training course virtually.
Representatives from the campuses of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Morris Brown College and the Interdenominational Theological Center participated in a Q & A discussion about college campus best practices. The training served to build a framework to continue to prepare for emergency situations and appropriate response.
For more information contact: Teresa D. Southern/AUCC Communications – tsouthern@aucenter.edu
About the AUCC
The Atlanta University Center Consortium, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Georgia, formed in 1929 to operate on behalf of its member institutions–Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College—is the world’s oldest and largest association of historically Black colleges and universities. The Consortium is a vibrant intellectual community with a long tradition of scholarship, service, and community engagement.
**Photo: Bomb Threat Management training, led by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was held with AUC campus representatives at the Robert Woodruff Library on the AUC’s campus.
