A morning bomb threat canceled classes for Young Harris College students on Monday, Oct. 5. The anonymous bomb threat was made to the Rollins Campus Center, known as the RCC at the four year college.
At 8:52 a.m., just as many students and staff were starting their days or arriving at campus, all students and employees received emergency alert texts and emails. “The institution has received a bomb threat,” the message said. “The RCC is being evacuated. Avoid the immediate area of the RCC.”
A joint press release issued by Young Harris College Chief Operating Officer Bo Wright and YHC Director of Communications & Marketing Jaimes Levins provided more details. “The RCC was evacuated immediately. In-person classes scheduled to take place on campus were canceled for the remainder of the day,” the Tuesday, Oct. 6 press release explained. “The YHC Police Department, under the direction of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and with the support of multiple local and regional agencies, was able to secure the campus and discredit the threat by 12 p.m. The GBI is in the process of tracing the threat.”
The Rollins Campus Center contains most of the Young Harris College administration offices, the library and all of the dining facilities. Very few classes are held in the building; however, all students spend time in the building on a regular basis. At 12:01 p.m., a follow up text communication was sent by the school. “The RCC has been cleared. No bomb was found. Additional information being sent by email.” The email explained the GBI had searched the building and found no explosives. While there, the GBI also checked several other buildings for bombs, but found nothing.
Captain Terry Conner, of the Towns County Sheriff office, said their department was contacted and helped with the roads and outer campus areas. “The college police force called us in and we mainly secured the outer perimeter,” he said, commending the campus police and YHC police chief Ken Henderson. “They are the ones handling the investigation.” Bo Wright added, “Many thanks to all of the officers who responded so quickly to make sure our campus and our community remain safe.