Despite threats made against the commencement ceremony, the University of California, Riverside held uneventful commencement ceremonies this week.
UC Riverside officials cancelled the commencement ceremony for Friday after receiving a threat against that one ceremony, and an incendiary device was found on campus that was confirmed and then eliminated by the Riverside Police Department bomb squad. The ceremony was rescheduled for this past Monday with no further incidents reported.
The campus will continue with the rest of the commencement ceremonies Saturday, Sunday and Monday, under a heightened security environment.
"Security measures will include the tripling of security personnel," said Ellen Wartella, executive vice chancellor. "Safety remains the University's top priority. This decision to proceed was made on the recommendation of federal, state and local law enforcement."
5:54 a.m.: Grounds staff found a smoldering palm tree near Life Sciences 1500, extinguished it, and identified two plastic bottles with possible flammable liquid near the palm. Grounds staff notified campus police.
6:00 a.m. - 6:25 a.m.: Campus police and fire marshal arrive on scene, establish and maintain crime scene perimeter.
8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.: State personnel found another suspicious device concealed in a planter near the south side of Life Sciences 1500. Cal Fire requested assistance from City of Riverside Police Department to investigate.
8:50 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.: State investigators determined no imminent threat in immediate vicinity; nevertheless, administrators on the scene decided to relocate approximately 250 students in Life Sciences 1500 to University Lecture Hall.
11:00 a.m.: Administration coordinated staff to distribute informational flyers to students, campus personnel, and other pedestrians in high-traffic area near Life Sciences 1500.
11:28 a.m.: Notice sent to campus community, graduating students, and to the media regarding the arson event and possible effects on commencement.
12:31 p.m.: Threat letter referencing 7 p.m. commencement ceremony was found adjacent to campus bookstore. Department of Justice was given notice.
1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Administrators initiated the following communications: informed students in residence halls of situation, advising them to be cautious; cancelled final exams for remainder of the day; and established phone line bank for call-in communications.
1:59 p.m.: Second email distributed to campus community, KUCR, and website that incendiary device was disposed of.
3:20 p.m.: Campus administration agreed to cancel 7 p.m. commencement ceremony.
3:45 p.m.: Second hand-written letter was received reiterating threat against tonight's commencement.
