Updated April 25, 2008, 7:35 p.m.

To: The Stevens Community

From: Maureen Weatherall

Date: April 25, 2008

An arrest has been made in the Davis Hall incident. The individual involved is a student who resided in Davis Hall and has been suspended effective immediately. He will not be allowed to return to campus. He is in the custody of the Hudson County Prosecutors Office.

The leadership of our Campus Police and the cooperation of our students has resulted in the rapid conclusion to the investigation. We are fortunate that there were no injuries and no damage to the residence hall.

As an extra precaution, we are continuing our heightened security at Davis Hall. We want our students who live in that facility to feel safe and return to normal as quickly as possible. We are available throughout the weekend to talk with our students and address their concerns.

Thank you again to all those from the Stevens Community and the surrounding law enforcement agencies who helped us resolve this situation.

Updated April 25, 2008, 5:00 p.m.

To: The Stevens Community

From: Maureen Weatherall

Date: April 25, 2008

Thank you to the students of Davis Hall for their cooperation and good spirits during a difficult day. The students have now left the Canavan Arena. They will be allowed back into Davis Hall at 6:00 PM tonight. This schedule is at the request of law enforcement so they can complete their investigation of the scene.

Stevens Campus Police and the Hudson County Prosecutors Office are meeting with a person of interest. We will send a further communication when we have additional information.

Davis Hall is restricted to residents only. There will be security on each floor from 10:00pm to 9:00am until further notice. Davis residents will be asked to use the main entrance and be prepared to show campus ID.

We appreciate the assistance of Stevens Campus Police, the Student Support team and most of all our students. The safety of our campus community is our highest priority and their cooperation has helped us continue to maintain it.

I would like to offer a special thank you to Stevens Dining Services and the Greek Week Committee for providing beverages and food for all of us. The Schaefer Center will reopen at 7:00 PM. The Men’s lacrosse game will begin at 7:00 PM.

Updated April 25, 2008, 9:20 a.m.

There was another arson incident in Davis Hall early this morning. No one was injured.

As a result of the ongoing investigation all residents of Davis Hall and their guests are currently in Canavan Arena.

We do not have an estimate of when they will able to leave so they have been excused from classes for the day. We appreciate the co-operation and support of all faculty.

In addition, the Schaefer Center is closed until further notice.

We will send out an update this afternoon.

Maureen Weatherall

Updated April 24, 2008, 2:00 p.m.

Thank you for your support and cooperation over the last day. Effective at noon today, we have returned to normal operations throughout campus, except for Davis Hall. Our emergency response was very thorough and extended well past the period of concern.

Davis Hall will continue to be at a heightened level of security. All Stevens' students entering the building will be required to use the main entrance and to show campus ID. There will be no guest privileges for non-Stevens students. There will be campus patrols throughout the interior of the building. All these measures will be in place indefinitely.

All other residence halls will return to normal procedures and policies.

A complete and thorough investigation by Stevens Police and external law enforcement is underway. A reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible person or persons is being offered. Anyone with any information should contact Dean Ken Nilsen, 201-745-8216 or any campus police officer at 201-216-5105. All information is strictly confidential.

There was an extraordinary effort by Campus Police, the CERT team, campus wide administrators and students over the last 24 hours. We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Updated April 23, 2008, 6:55 p.m.

To: Stevens Community
From: Maureen Weatherall

As of 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, all on campus residence halls have been swept and secured. We are continuing the security measures currently in place through out the night. Stevens personnel or a Hoboken police officer will be stationed at each residence hall entry.

Students must have campus ID. Only the residents of each dormitory will be allowed into their building. Visitors are not permitted into the residence halls at this time.

We are now able to provide more information regarding the note left this morning in Davis Hall. The note specified the April 23rd/April 24th overnight period. If there are residents of Davis that are uncomfortable sleeping in their building, Jacobus and Canavan Arena will be open. Please bring your own blankets and pillows.

If you observe any suspicious behavior, please call the Center Desk 24hrs a day at (201) 216-5105. Please call Dean Ken Nilsen if you have any information about this incident. His number is (201)745-8216.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Updated April 23, 2008, 2:40 p.m.

Stevens Campus Police in cooperation with the Hoboken Police Department, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and the NJ State Police, as well as other jurisdictions, has activated our campus emergency plan.

As a precaution, all access to Residence Halls is being monitored by Stevens personnel. Students will only be allowed into their own Residence Hall after showing ID. There may also be bag searches prior to entry. Please cooperate in helping us maintain the safety of our community.

As an additional precaution, canine units are canvassing the Residence Halls.

All visitors to campus are being required to show ID prior to entering the grounds.

These safety procedures will be in effect until further notice. We will be following the directions of law enforcement experts and will issue a further update early this evening.

Again, please call Dean Ken Nilsen if you have any information about this incident. His number is 201-745-8216.

We are fortunate to have an outstanding campus Police Department and strong cooperation and support from Hoboken, Hudson County and the State of New Jersey. Our primary concern is the safety of every member of our community. We are taking and will continue to take every appropriate action. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Parents Letter

April 23, 2008

Dear Parents,

On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, there was a case of arson on the fourth floor of Davis Hall. The Hoboken Fire Department responded and there were no injuries or serious damage. An arson investigation is underway. In addition, a threatening note was found in the fourth floor bathroom on Wednesday, April 23rd at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Under the direction of Chief Timothy Griffin of Stevens Police and in cooperation with NJ State Police, the Hudson County Sheriff’s office, the Hoboken Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, our emergency action plan has been activated.

Access to campus is being monitored by law enforcement. Every residence hall entry is being monitored, and only assigned residents of individual buildings are permitted to enter. As a precaution, residence halls are being canvassed by canine patrols. These safety procedures will be in effect until further notice. We will be following the directions of law enforcement experts.

All members of the campus community have been asked to have their Stevens ID available on their person. Please encourage your son or daughter to cooperate with this request.

We will be issuing periodic updates to the community and posting them at www.stevens.edu as well.

All classes are in session and decisions about campus activities are being made on an individual basis.

The Stevens community is fortunate to have an outstanding campus Police Department and tremendous support from the City of Hoboken, Hudson County, surrounding jurisdictions and the State of New Jersey. Our students’ safety is our primary concern and we are taking, and will continue to take every appropriate action.

Very truly yours,

Maureen Weatherall
VP University Enrollment and Administration

Updated April 23, 2008, 10:23 a.m.

On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, there was a case of arson on the fourth floor of Davis Hall, the Hoboken Fire Department responded and there were no injuries or serious damage. An arson investigation is underway. In addition, a threatening note was found in the fourth floor bathroom on Wednesday, April 23rd at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Effective immediately campus police officers will be posted at the main entry way of Davis Hall and all bags will be checked. The side doors will be closed for entry. Only Davis residents with valid IDs will be permitted in the building.

All members of the campus community are asked to have their Stevens ID available on their person.

Any members of the Stevens community with information about this incident are encouraged to contact Dean Ken Nilsen, 201-745-8216.

An email update will be distributed by 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, April 23, 2008. Please contact Maureen Weatherall, 201-216-5190 with any questions about this advisory.