Several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States initiated campus-wide lockdowns and suspended non-essential activities on Thursday, September 11, 2025, following the reception of potential threats. The coordinated security measures were enacted to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

Virginia State University and Hampton University were among the first to respond, issuing urgent alerts and closing their campuses early in the day. Virginia State University's lockdown prompted the cancellation of all afternoon classes and extracurricular activities, with increased security personnel monitoring the campus and affiliated housing. Hampton University followed suit by canceling all classes and non-essential operations for Thursday and Friday, September 11 and 12, including athletic events, and advised students to limit movement on campus while non-essential personnel were instructed to leave.

By the afternoon, the situation had expanded to include other institutions. Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, confirmed its campus was on lockdown, directing students to shelter in place while law enforcement secured the area. Similarly, Bethune-Cookman University in Florida announced a suspension of classes and campus operations until further notice, emphasizing their collaboration with law enforcement to investigate the received threats. Alabama State University also confirmed a lockdown, with campus police coordinating with local agencies to monitor the situation and advising students to remain indoors.

Clark Atlanta University in Georgia also reported receiving threats, leading to a lockdown of its campus. Due to their close proximity, Spelman College, another HBCU in Atlanta, implemented a shelter-in-place advisory as a precautionary measure, although no direct threats were reported against Spelman's campus. Morehouse College was also placed on a shelter-in-place advisory.

The series of lockdowns highlights the ongoing vulnerability of HBCUs to potential threats and the swift, decisive actions taken by these institutions to prioritize safety. While the nature and origin of the threats are under investigation, the unified response from these universities underscores a shared commitment to protecting their communities. University officials are working closely with law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and will provide further updates as they become available.