At Bemidji State University we are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion by creating a welcoming environment where all faculty, staff and students feel safe and can successfully work toward their academic goals.

On the evening of March 2, 2023, Bemidji State University’s Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion held a “Beaver Huddle” event in Hagg-Sauer Hall to discuss hate-based incidents that have taken place on our campus over the past few days.

During that event, an individual or group of individuals began to make remarks threatening violence toward specific individuals in the room using an anonymous, location-based social media platform. These acts against members of our community are unacceptable and go against our ideals of diversity, equity, inclusion and acceptance for all. We simply cannot tolerate this kind of behavior.

As a result of these threats, I, after consultation with my administrative team, the campus security team, and Bemidji Police Department, made the decision to cancel classes today at BSU and to heighten security on campus. While we are taking these precautions, the campus is safe, and we don’t believe there is any imminent threat.

We know that this abhorrent behavior has seriously affected the ability of some of our students to feel safe and secure on our campus. This is absolutely unacceptable and will not stand. We are taking every possible step available to us to identify the person or persons who made these threats, and we will respond.

As this is an active investigation involving law enforcement, we cannot provide any further details on the specifics of this incident.