The threat against the students of Lund is over. During Monday afternoon, the University chose to resume all activities.
The threat against the University lasted until 3.35p.m. on Monday. After that, the Administrative Board decided to welcome students back to campus, according to a message published on the University’s website.
This decision was based on new information from the southern region police. Their preliminary investigation showed that the person who posted the message on Jodel had done so previously, targeting others around the country. This reduces the threat and therefore the closure was revoked. Torbjörn von Schantz, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University, is pleased with how things have worked out.
“I think everyone has done their job exceedingly well. It’s a relief to see how extremely effective communication has been and how media has been able to spread the message”, he says.
Assessment altered overnight
The night before Monday, the police still judged the threat to be serious, but during the morning they were able to break new ground in the investigation, thanks to collaboration with the creators of Jodel. The police now think that they have found out that the person behind the threat has made several other threats against other recipients, and this reduces the risk.
“We’ve decided to reopen the University after being told that others have been targeted by this threat as well. The police then judge the situation to be less severe. This is exactly the message we’ve been waiting for in order to open”, Torbjörn von Schantz says.
How do you feel now?
“It’s a relief, but at the same time I feel how tired I am. In this miserable situation, it’s been a comfort to see how well everything has worked out”, he says.
Will be safe from now on
On Tuesday, all activities are resumed and Per Gustafson, the University’s Head of Security, says that the students can once again feel safe on the University’s premises. However, he thinks that these kinds of incidents are something the University will have to get used to.
“These instantly explosive things that make the recipient fearful have exploded in the last couple of years. We’ve only seen the beginning of internet hate, and we need to fight it”, he says, and points out that the University will continue to look into this matter.
Are you satisfied with the decision to shut down the University?
“Definitely. At the time we made the decision, it was the only viable option”, Per Gustafson says.
However, not everyone agrees with him. In an article, the University has been criticised by the police for shutting down in the first place. The police say that the threat was not serious enough to demand operative measures and that activity could have continued normally.
“There’s been some talk about our decision being rash, but the police in Lund think it was a good decision. Us having shut down eased the burden of the students and meant that they didn’t have to make that decision themselves. Everyone were in agreement”, Torbjörn von Schantz says.
“How can you separate what is serious from what is not?”
The matter is now classified as an unlawful threat, with a range of punishment up to four years in prison. However, the police have yet to find a suspect. Unconfirmed sources from the internet forum 4chan, says that the post was meant to provoke and stir up emotions. And Torbjörn von Schantz is provoked.
“This happens on two levels. It affects us and our students, but it is also a threat against an open society. How can you know what’s serious and what’s not? With our way of communicating openly and anonymously, we pave the road for these kinds of things. How can you separate what is serious from what is not?” he asks rhetorically.
What will you do if this happens again?
“I ask myself that question too, but it’s up to the police. They will have to assess the risk, and we’ll follow their lead. If this assessment alters, then we’ll have to reconsider. If this happens again, then the police will have to decide whether we should take it seriously or not”, Torbjörn von Schantz says.
The Head of Security Per Gustafson thinks along the same lines.
“It all depends on how the risk is assessed. We base our decision on the police’s risk assessment. In uncertain times, this means following the alternative with the least consequences”, Per Gustafson says.
What will you bring with you from this experience?
“That it’s important that we are nice and take care of each other here at Lund University”.
Cecilia Skoug, the President of Lund University Student Unions Association, is pleased that the University managed to reach out with the information.
“There has been good information from the University, and I haven’t seen any students banging on the doors”, she says.
How have the students responded to the decision to shut down the University?
“I think that the students felt it was a good thing that the University shut down, so that they didn’t have to worry about going to school. Many students have a lot of confidence in the University, because they feel that the University values its students’ and employees’ work environment, and that’s nice”.
Evaluation awaits
Now, an evaluation awaits both the unions and the University. When it comes to Lus, Cecilia Skoug feels that much has gone well, but that the running information to students and employees has been lacking.
“The University can be more active in the discussion and inform about the current situation. It would have been much appreciated to know when new information arrives, or at least, when new information is expected to arrive”, she says.
However, on the whole, there is not much for the students to complain about.
“I feel that this has worked well and that everyone has been told what has happened. It’s impressive that such a big organisation manages to shut down in so little time”, Cecilia Skoug says.
Translation: Sofia Nordstrand
