Harvard Evacuated: Bomb Scare Forces Final Exam Cancellations

Harvard University canceled Monday morning's scheduled final exams after a bomb scare forced the evacuation of four buildings on campus, but no explosives were ever found.

"No devices have been found and there is a strong sense that the areas are secure," Lowell House Co-Master Diana L. Eck told The Harvard Crimson in an email shortly after 10 a.m.

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Harvard sent out a campus-wide alert around 9 a.m. and issued an evacuation of the Science Center and Thayer, Sever, and Emerson halls, claiming that the school had received an unconfirmed report that bombs or explosive devices had been put in those four places.

Shortly before 11 a.m., HUPD spokesperson Steven G. Catalano said in a phone interview that no explosives had been found at that point.

— The Harvard Crimson (@thecrimson) December 16, 2013

The bomb scare led Harvard administrators to cancel a handful of exams in the affected buildings, spurring many on Twitter to joke that it must've been a stressed undergraduate that phoned in the threat. Students on campus reportedly applauded when Dean of Undergraduate Education Jay Harris announced the cancellations.

Following announcement, students erupt in applause.

— The Harvard Crimson (@thecrimson) December 16, 2013

wow these #Harvard students are desperate to get their exams canceled

— Dan Sapozhnikov (@spazdazzle) December 16, 2013

So ala the movies if somebody called in a bomb threat to get exams canceled they've succeeded #Harvard

— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) December 16, 2013

I'm no detective, but this may be a motive for bomb threat: #Harvard Dean announces that final exams for this morning have been canceled.

— Pete Ferryman (@PeteFerryman) December 16, 2013

Exam day at harvard. Bomb Threat at harvard. Students Cheered when told exams canceled. Is it a bomb or unprepared students You decide....

— GaSkye (@GaSkye) December 16, 2013

Administrators "are working to identify and reschedule exams that were scheduled to take place this morning" in affected buildings, Dean of Finance Leslie A. Kirwan told the Crimson in an email. The schools "will communicate guidance about exams scheduled to take place this afternoon as soon as possible."

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