Student reactions to the shutdown of Willamette Hall following the report of a suspicious letter on Thursday varied from shock to skepticism across the University campus.
“You think it’s all centered on the East Coast, and suddenly it happens here,” junior Katie Plein said. “And then it’s all so much closer than we think it is.”
Emeritus Professor Bernd Crasemann reported to DPS that he had received a brown envelope containing a suspicious substance Thursday morning. The Eugene Police Department, which was notified by DPS, shut down Willamette Hall and called in the FBI and a hazardous material team. After the police collected evidence, HazMat workers decontaminated the hall.
Senior anthropology major Kevin Crosman said he felt surprised that Eugene, because of its location in the mid-Willamette Valley, would be the target of any bioterrorism attempts.
“I thought if it were to hit the West Coast, it would be someplace like L.A. or Portland, but not Eugene,” he said.
A number of students did not believe the incident held any threat.
“I think it was a hoax,” sophomore Leia Pedro said.
“Maybe it’s just a joke,” junior Marisol Jimenez said. She added that her boyfriend was taking the incident seriously.
Jimenez, who works at the Yamada Language Center in Pacific Hall, said her boyfriend was fearful about her returning to work on Friday.
“He is totally freaking out,” she said. “He was telling me ‘Don’t go near that building. Don’t go near the post office.’”
University officials said the U.S. Postal Service delivered the letter directly to the building and that it did not travel through the campus mail office. Other students wanted to know more details about what happened at Willamette Hall.
“It was a little scary,” senior Melanie Bryson said. “I wanted to hear more about it before I have a panic attack.”
“I would be surprised if it were the same as the Washington, D.C., bioterrorist threat,” sophomore Zach Mull said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if it were a hoax. I heard it was because of someone that the professor had rejected for a journal he edits.”
Crasemann is a physics professor and editor for the Physical Review A journal, which publishes articles about physics.
Junior journalism major Melissa Mahaffey said she was bewildered by the event, but also angry at whatever motivated the person who sent the letter.
“I think it’s ridiculous. Everyone’s on edge because of what happened,” she said. “Why would anyone do such a thing?”