Update on this morning’s emergency alerts

Dear Wake Forest families,

Early this morning, the University received anonymous phone calls with shooting-related threats. An emergency shelter-in-place message was sent while University Police and Winston-Salem Police investigated the threat. At 5 a.m., an all-clear message was shared as the call was determined to be a hoax. An update was just sent to the campus community, and you can see all related messages from earlier today here.

It is safe for students, faculty and staff to resume regular activities. Classes will be held on a normal, in-person schedule, and all student services will be open.

Local law enforcement are working with federal and state officials to identify the callers who made the threats. Nationally, many colleges and universities have received threats since November 2021, prompting lockdowns and evacuations. 

Out of an abundance of caution, University Police will staff and close the gates to campus over the weekend. Winston-Salem Police have increased patrols on campus and in the surrounding area.

While this is not an emergency and there is no need for action on the part of you or your student, in the spirit of our Parent/Family Communications guidelines, we are sharing this with you to be as transparent as possible. Any future updates will be posted to the Wake Alert website and will also be shared on the Family News website.

I have no additional details beyond what is in the messages to campus. However, I can assure you that our crisis management team is working diligently. There is no greater priority than the safety of our students and the campus community.

With best wishes,

Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (‘92, MA ‘94)
Executive Director of Family Communications