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The College of Education at the University of ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ (COE) is deeply saddened and outraged by the news that many historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have received bomb threats recently, including on the first day of Black History Month in the U.S. Among these institutions are our neighbors and partners in scholarship and education: Bowie State University, ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ard University, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University.

COE cares about the safety of all university students, staff, and faculty. In the wake of threats to disrupt the college learning environment, please join us in standing up against these senseless threats and creating peace and well-being for university communities. In the U.S., it is not enough to say that we stand for the guiding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness without concern for gender, race, or religion. Former President Barack Obama stated that ‘if we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must do better.’ We stand by those words.

These threats of violence against institutions that have served as the backbone of higher education in the U.S. and continue to produce some of the most accomplished individuals must stop. We stand with others around the country and the world in solidarity with our nation’s HBCUs and send a clear message that we, as a higher education community, are united in the protection of a safe learning environment for all.

The University of ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ College of Education

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Contact: Lauren Benning-Williams

Email: coecomm@umd.edu