WEB EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE: March 27th, 2008
It's an art project, not a bomb
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The packages that caused a partial evacuation of the UNF campus March 27 were found to be part of a students' art project and did not pose a safety risk to campus, according to university officials.
A UPD officer discovered a suspicious package shortly before 11 a.m in the breezeway of Building 9. After contacting UPD and the Jacksonville's Sheriff's Office, the search area was expanded and three more identical packages were found.
The packages were older model telephones mounted above black boxes and affixed to different structures on campus; one was attached to a tree near the Green. The boxes contained electronic wires and a CD player.
Numerous buildings were evacuated in the core of campus, and all individuals were removed from the affected areas and herded to outlying areas.
All four packages were X-rayed by the JSO Bomb-squad and deemed innocuous. During this time a UNF student revealed to JSO officers that the packages were part of a class art project.
Sharon Ashton, assistant vice president of public relations, credited UPD for its swift reaction and organized response.
"Had this been a serious occurrence, UPD would've saved many lives."
A debriefing is scheduled for March 28 for campus administrators to discuss avoiding similar incidents in the future.
Read the April 2 edition of the Spinnaker for more information about the bomb scare and what changes might be in store for campus safety procedures.
Photos: Josh Salman