May 22, 5:00 p.m.
Re: Update on the Law School Incident
To the Members of the Yale Community
The investigation of the explosion at the Law School, which occurred on
Wednesday afternoon, May 21, is proceeding. The incident occurred in a
first floor classroom with considerable damage to that classroom and an
adjacent lounge. The FBI, the State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms, as well as the New Haven and Yale Police, are
working collaboratively on this investigation.
There was understandable concern initially that this might relate to the
national "Orange Alert" status that had been announced the day before.
Law enforcement authorities have informed us that there is nothing
indicating that this incident relates to any international terrorism.
Nevertheless, this remains a very serious matter and we have increased our
security and vigilance. The University is doing everything it can to
support the collective efforts of the federal, state, city and university
law enforcement agencies who are aggressively investigating this crime.
Although the Law School building remains closed as the investigation
proceeds, the rest of the University has been open for regular business
today. All Commencement-related activities will proceed as scheduled, and
we are very hopeful that the Law School festivities can be held at their
traditional site.
There are always extra security precautions taken for Commencement. In
light of the recent incident, we will be taking additional security
measures for the weekend. In addition to the University's Police, there
will be added law enforcement officers from both the State Police and the
New Haven Police Department.
This is obviously a very unsettling incident for the entire community; our
support extends particularly to the students, faculty and staff of the Law
School. As a community we continue to support one another, and we are all
working to give our graduates the full salute they deserve.
Special announcements for the Law School community will appear at
http://www.yale.edu/law.
General updates for the Yale Community will be posted at
http://www.yale.edu. Click on the ticker at the bottom of the front door.
Linda Koch Lorimer
Vice President and Secretary
NOTE: This Official University Message to the Yale Community can also be
viewed at:
https://light.its.yale.edu/messages/msg_details.asp?msgid=2623