Bomb Threats

If you receive a bomb threat 

Remain calm, and make every effort to converse with the caller. Try to gather enough information to fill out the telephone bomb threat checklist. 

Actions to take immediately after call 

  1. Call Campus Safety and provide the information. 
  2. Conduct a Hasty Search to determine whether there is anything suspicious in the room.
    1. If there, immediately evacuate, including others.
    2. If not, wait for instructions.
  3. Campus Safety will meet with you upon arrival. 
  4. Campus Safety will evaluate the situation and determine further steps. 

Bomb threat history 

The university has received threatening calls about explosives placed in campus buildings. The timing of these bomb threats always occurs around mid-term exams and finals week. Most of these threats are by telephone, although occasionally they are in writing. 

In the past, students were suspended for making bomb threats. One of them received a sentence of imprisonment and a large fine. Under State of Missouri Revised Statutes Section 575.090, making a false bomb report is a class D felony. 

What we are doing to prevent threats

Strategies to deter these activities: 

  • Telephones that show the on-campus number and location from the call. 
  • Telephone switches that signal if the call is an outside call or a campus call.
  • Installation of a PBX telephone switch feature called MCT (Malicious Call Trace). It identifies campus calls, seizing the caller's telephone line until law enforcement authorities apprehend the caller. 
  • The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responds if an explosive device is located during a bomb threat search. 
  • Prosecution to the fullest extent possible under law for anyone placing a threat to students, faculty, staff and campus facilities. 

Bomb threat response