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  St. Xavier University has closed until further notice after two threatening graffiti messages were found at a freshman dorm. The latest promised people would die on Monday. What do you think of the decision to close the university and send students home?

Threats have turned into reality too many times, so they just may have saved dozens of lives. School officials don't have crystal balls, they must use level-headed decisions. – Arlene

I think it's a great idea, we have had too many senseless killings of innocent children, it's better to be safe than sorry. – Ramiro Arroyo

For a university, I guess it was smart to close. To tell you the truth though, my suburban high school gets graffiti like that written on the walls all the time. There was even an instance where a date was mentioned and parents did have the choice to pick up their kids if they called home during that day, but all that happened was a few more police officers were on the scene throughout the day instead of just the one usual officer. Overall, I think that whoever did this is trying to take advantage of the recent college events to get a couple days off, just like at my high school. – Oliver

The message that is being left out is that these threats are punishable. The only message kids are hearing is that if a threat is made, school is closed. They need to hear the entire message, being that is a serious offense and is not taken lightly. – Karol

A pathetic, reactionary nation of sheep, waiting for the slaughter. – Rodney Stiffington

You have caved into terrorist tactics. That Is just what they wanted. Real or a hoax, but you gave in. You should have stood tall and showed some backbone. Shame on you – R Francis

I agree with the University and support their decision to close until further notice because I believe that safety comes first. I am a Senior at the University and will be graduating this May and I believe that not being able to continue on with academics not only hurts me as a student, but hurts every one else who is a student at the University. I know that there are a lot of people who are scared to even come back to the University when it reopens because of the situation, but I know that the FBI, CPD, Saint Xavier Police & Public Safety are doing everything they can to make our campus safe for the entire University Community. I just hope that the situation will be resolved so that the academic school year can continue on. – Chris Hollock

If it were my child and I heard of a threat like this, I would keep my child away from that school. I like my kids and I prefer that they be alive and untraumatized. – Kathleen

It's a very difficult decision. Who is to say this is NOT a serious threat and then risk the lives of others? I commend the University for its professional, careful handling of the situation. – Anonymous SXU Employee

I think that the university was doing their job. The safety of the students is the most important thing. As a mother I am outraged that the area school my son attends, which is only a short distance has not closed. It is not giving into terrorism. The issue that the system is not weak. Safety of our future is "priceless". – Rachelle

1. We cant close every school down on every threat. 2. Just close a school down for a day then have security guards with metal detectors checking every one going inside the schools. 3. We are going to have to start having Metal Detectors at all schools along with cameras. 4. Our country needs stiffer penalties to help stop some of the violence. Our country is too forgiving. We need to start showing KIDS that you will get punished for being bad. Not just a slap on the wrist. It is almost to the point were we need eye for an eye. Former SXU student – Joe M

I think the schools made the right decision under these terrible circumstances. The safety and well-being of the students should always be their first priority. As a student of St. Xavier however, the situation we have been put in due to the immaturity and ignorance of the person who created these messages is quite maddening. There are only a few short weeks left to our semester and even missing a few days of class at this point is a problem. In today's society, a message like this is so frightening. I hope this individual is caught soon and is made to realize the horror he/she has created for so many people. This person has affected the educational schedule of nearly ten thousand people when you take the enrollment of the surrounding schools into consideration. – Laurie

My daughter is a student at Saint Xavier and in light of the NIU tragedy, we are both genuinely concerned that she could be the victim of random gun violence. So on the one hand we are glad the school is taking so much precaution to protect the students, but on the other hand we are both wondering if this is just a hoax being perpetrated by some immature insensitive kid. There are so many copy cat threats that are closing campus across the country, so we can't continue to react to these types of threats by closing the schools. In my opinion, the university has probably cause to search the dormitory rooms of the students who live on campus, and to search individual that are entering the campus on a daily basis. Campuses across the country will need to restrict access to the campus and institute security checks for individuals enter or reintering the campus. And perhaps criminal background checks should be a part of the application process. But shutting down college campuses is just not a feasible long term solution to these type of terrorist threats. – Lorna

I wonder if those of you who are saying that we are spineless and weak would feel the same way if it was YOUR life or YOUR CHILD'S life that was in danger. – L.C.

Holy Cow... Some of these students writing their opinions can't even spell. If this is as good as these schools are teaching our kids, they should shut down anyway due to lack of results. You can solve this problem overnight by allowing carry permits on campus. The lawbreakers are carrying anyway..planting that seed in the minds of the criminals will stop this kind of junk and the school can get back to teaching writing and grammar, if they care to. – msn

Would that every student could handle a firearm and had one to handle, there would be no issue. The dumbing-down of America includes the loss of the ability to fend-off danger as well, borne of the "great assimilation schools" instead of life experience training. YES, the right thing was done, because -- unlike my day in elementary through college -- no one is able to achieve competent self defense without soliciting government aid. – Margaret LeBeau

Stop appeasing home grown terrorism! If they really wanted you hurt, they would not advertise, correct? When your time is up, your time is up. Deal with it and be aware! – Tim

I think closing the college is a good idea, but there needs to be a plan in place for future threats. Already Malcolm X has a threat which may be a copy cat. At any rate, do we keep closing schools? Perhaps having cameras everywhere is the only answer along with severe punishments for threatening. Five years in prison with no parole would be a good punishment. Otherwise these sick people could threaten schools on a whim and continually close them down. – Michelene

I am a senior at St. Xavier University and I support this decision 100%.I can't believe people are saying its spineless and "Un-American" to close the University. These people are clearly grossly uninformed and ridiculous. As a student it is not worth it to me to risk my life to prove I am "strong" ,"couragous", or "American"; in my opinoin thats the problem with our country to much pride with little common sense. The university as well as the other schools do not take irrational actions. I am a graduate of McAuley and after 8 years it is to my understanding that these school's administrations do everything possible to NOT close. Therefore I believe there is more information the general public is not recieving on why exactly the University is closed indefinately and I personally am fine with that. In the mean time I can continue my studies at home via email until the situation is worked out.
--Rebecca

First off I am a student of SXU. i think what the school did was great. It was in the best interest of the children. It is hard to make a decision like that. the other point i want to adress is spineless think i know it all bull----ers who are on this saying that we are jsut giving in. or tht now a kid knows what to do if they dont want to go to school. BULL----. This school was a buzz for a week if not more. Tireless man power to try to catch the cowards responsible. to make sure that the school is safe. This decision was not made by the University alone but but advice from NIU, VT, FBI, Area 2 police, CPD, adn the school. Too all you out there saying that we need a backbone. We have one, one that proves we will do anything for the safety of our students. If you think that now suddenly every death threat that happens a school will such down then i ask you when you have to face one of your fears, would you do anything to make sure you are not scared. Well guess what a pretty good threat not just one but 2 about people getting killed and given the history of the USA that pretty well f------ scares me. YOu know what the ultimate sad part about all of this is, It was our own doing as people that made us do what we are doing today. If anything the people to blame are ourselves. Keep up the good work SXU, my prays are with you. GO COUGARS!!!
--Daniel

I see it as you giving in to the "terrorists", they are now controlling you !! Where is your "backbone"!! Stand up for yourself and your school, get "SWAT" & or some kind of security detail to handle the "alledged" threat. Remember, it was only spray paint, not actions. Seems to me that the "hot air" and painted "lip service" has made "sheep" out of all of you! It is not wise to let the students and or the school to be "spoon fed" a known lie and actually lay down for the "low lifes" that only "spray painted" a threat, they DID NOT act on it, they are testing your "strength" level, and it appears to be a GO FOR THEM! Your actions show "weakness" to any and all of the terriorits whom perpetrate this kind of "anti-American" activity. Get the students back to school and hire the aforementioned security details if it required.
--K. Pfeiffer

The overriding factor in closing the schools seems to be "safety first" for our children. Nonsense. All we're teaching the children is that idle threats will bring the system to a standstill. We're teaching them to run and hide. We're teaching them to be weak and cowardly and to give up in the face of adversity. The point is, in sheltering them from every little hazard, whether real or imagined, WE are jeopardizing "our children's safety" more so than any anonymous threat. These kids are going to grow up to be even more timid and panic-stricken and incapable of coping than their over-protective parents. We're making the kids WEAK OF CHARACTER, ruining their minds and their lives through bad education.
--Zesko Whirligan

Better safe then sorry!
--Toni

I agree with those who say "Why take a chance? Close the schools." In fact there is always a chance that someone will enter a school and shoot someone, so lets go ahead and close them permanently. I mean, why take a chance? The children's lives are too precious to risk at any school. So we obviously need to close all of the schools in the country. I mean, "Why take a chance...."
--Joe

It seems like we're in copycat paradise since Malcolm X was just closed when a threat was discovered. Do not close schools and allow disturbed, attention grabbing creeps to disrupt the educational needs of so many students.
--Deb Beasley

I wouldn't worry about it. Having weapons on campus is illegal so by definition it won't happen. And if a murderer did decide to break the law, just call the cops, they'll get there pretty soon.
--Brad Millard

As a student at the University, I am extremely grateful that the school officials have taken the actions they have.  I feel that they absolutely put our safety first and their decision to close the university only reflected that.  I know that it was a tough decision to make, and some may not agree with it, but I, along with my friends, would rather be safe than sorry.
--Catherine

So, this kind of stuff, usually happens this time of year,  We just passed the one year anniversary at VT and coming to the 9 year anniversary at Columbine. Why don't we just close all schools everywhere after April 1 and live in a society of FEAR.
--Pete

Its stupid everytime a kid doesn't want to  go to school they may do this.Enforce strict 10yrs in jail if your caught with a gun in your car or in your possession.
--Andy

CBS is shameless. Why would you need the opinion of the woefully uniformed on the subject. Does anyone know the true circumstances, have access to police research/ records etc... Here is an opinion, it is decisions like this that keeps CBS last in the world journalism. I tought if it bleeds it leads jornalism went out in the 80's.
--Michael Knight

Buck up. Stiff upper lip. If every time the Moslems said 'Boo' Israel shut down and the Jews huddled in fear, the Moslems would be shouting 'Boo' all the time. It's time to get a backbone.
--Bill

Knowing you have just been duped, knowing you must take a safe position, put the national guard on the campus and kill anything that looks threating. stop the nonsense.
--Ray

Ridiculous!It only promotes more threats.Just increase security and don't Panic.
--Warren

The right thing to do. One can not gamble with the lives of our young people. I wish the authorities luck in catching the person/s that posted the warning.
--Randolph Sopicki

I attend Mother McAuley high school, and I am thankful that they have closed school. God forbids anything happens at St. Xavier, everyone will know their loved one is safe and secure. Closing school might have cost us an extra day in June, but I'd rather have an extra day in June than being in danger.
--Ana

Ridiculous. When, in the history of terrorism and campus massacres, has the perpetrator EVER sent a warning message in advance and then gone on to commit the crime on a specified date? Never. If we flinch and cower everytime an anonymous "terror" message is discovered, then we're already a spineless and defeated society. If you want to STOP this stupis fear-mongering, then STOP PUBLICIZING every little, inconsequential threat you find scrawled on the back of an envelope. No, it doesn't deserve national attention, unless your intent is to spread the fear far and wide -- in which case our diverse news media are as much terrorists as anyone.
--Charles Miller

I fully support the university in its decision to close campus and send students home. With different instances of campus violence,it is better to play it safe than be sorry! Various students I have talked to are definitely nervous about the situation, and it would be difficult to attend class and learn while worrying about our safety.
--Dan Blake

I feel that St. Xavier has made a great decision. As a student, I am very scared to go back to classes but it makes it reassuring that the security it heightened and the FBI is around for investigation purposes. I use to live in Regina Hall up until about a Month ago and I am very glad that I am out of there and commuting to school from home. I feel that even if this is a joke, the school needed to take these precautions because of what happened at NIU and the Tinley Park Lane Bryant Incident both not too long ago. I'm glad that the students are out, that way the FBI and CPD can do their investigation without students being around to view it and have rumors fly. I hope that they have a suspect in custody when they bring students back to campus and reopen for classes. Until then, I'm glad that SXU is taking these precautions. It is for the best for their students/faculty/staff.
--Amy Nelson

This is nsetting a bad precedent. Firstly, if someone REALLY wanted to do this, they can do iy any time they want. The fact is that you cannot stop anyone who is serious about actually doing this sort of thing. Secondly, by closing the school, every kid who does not want to go to class, knows exactly how to accomplish that. Theyknow the school will give in. Thirdly, when you re-open the school, you are faced with exactly the same problem as before you closed the school. Closing the school accomplishes nothing positive. This is a mistake, feuled by public perception. It is too bad, the school board has no spine.
--Robert Codo

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