Laurentian University is reviewing its policies and security response following the receipt of a prank call about an armed individual on campus on January 27th. An alert and order to shelter in place was reportedly sent to all staff, faculty, and students by email while police investigated. Students expressed concern about the communication method, stating that some faculty members continued teaching, unaware of the order, and noting that students are generally encouraged to turn off or silence their phones. They also described issues with locking the doors on campus. “[An armed individual on campus is] something we always have to be prepared for, although percentage-wise, it’s incredibly low,” said Laurentian University Staff Union President Tom Fenske. Laurentian President Lynn Wells stated that the university is “reviewing the events of January 27th to ensure we continue to uphold the safety and well-being of the Laurentian community.”
