A bomb threat directed at Clark Hall resulted in the evacuation of the building and relocation of summer session classes and exams Monday morning.
The building was cleared without incident and reopened by 10:30 a.m.
"These bomb threats disrupt the entire University community, causing us to pull people out of their workplaces and relocate classes," University spokesperson Carol Wood said.
A full investigation is now underway.
According to a press release, University police responded to a call made at 6:45 a.m. by a University employee at Clemons Library who found a note that specified that Clark Hall was targeted.
Virginia State Police, the Albemarle County Bomb Squad and bomb detection dogs were brought in to search the facility. Although no bomb was found, the cost of such threats to the University is high, Wood said.
A number of bomb threats occurred in 2002. Most of the threats were directed at Old and New Cabell, and they cost the University $18,000 per day just for University police services, according to Wood. Additional expenses are incurred for state police, detectives, bomb specialists and bomb-sniffing dogs.
"More often than not, the indication is that these threats have revolved around the exam schedule," Wood said.
The University has established a comprehensive procedure for relocating classes. The provost's office reacted immediately in moving classes, and no exams were canceled or postponed, Wood said.
"Through most of the University history, there have not been that many threats," University police Captain Michael Coleman said. "It's a very non-University of Virginia act to make such a threat. That certainly doesn't fit the expectation that most people -- including students -- would have of the other students."
Both Coleman and Wood said the person who created the scare will be prosecuted if identified.
Issuing such a threat is a Class five felony offense that upon conviction could result in up to a 10-year jail sentence.
Coleman said the person who last delivered a bomb threat at the University was arrested and prosecuted for the crime.
"We always want to make it clear to everyone that we will investigate to the fullest so that the daily life of the academic calendar is not disrupted," Wood said.
The threat could also violate more than one University standard, resulting in the filing of charges and repercussions through the University Judiciary Committee, UJC Chair Tim Ormsby said.
"For the most part, students should understand that it hurts them more than anyone else," Coleman said. "It disrupts their school, it costs a lot of money, and that only ends up raising the cost of tuition."
Coleman and Wood both asked that any student who might have any information about this incident call Crimestoppers at (434) 977-400 or the University police at (434) 924-7166.
Information about class cancellations and changes due to bomb threats can be found on the University snow lines.
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