Published: March 26, 2008 02:52 pm            

Area families monitor WIU threat

At least one Effingham family is closely monitoring potentially serious events at Western Illinois University.

Ken Joslyn, whose daughter Shana is a graduate student in the theater department at Western, said he’s taking seriously the threat of a campus shooting that was dropped into an apartment complex payment box late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

“We’re always apprehensive when something like this happens,” Joslyn said. “I’ve been following it really close.”

Western officials said in a news release an apartment complex employee found the handwritten note Wed-nesday morning. Residence halls and common areas were locked down. Only students with keys could gain access to their dorms, according to officials.

Students were notified of the threat through an emergency alert system and were given the option of going to class or staying home without being charged with an absence.

Joslyn said as a parent he’s satisfied with police response to the threat.

“The campus was just swarming with law enforcement trying to track down who dropped this note,” he said in Effingham Wednesday.

Shana Joslyn, who had to be on campus Wednesday to build a set for an upcoming production, said the prevailing opinion is the call was a hoax.

“Most of us are thinking it was some kid trying to get out of a test,” she said.

Shana, who recalled walking through empty buildings on her way to graduate classes Wednesday morning, said most of the campus was shut down.

“It’s eerie to walk through these empty buildings,” she said. “It’s sad we have to shut down over a stupid prank.”

Joslyn is a 1998 graduate of Effingham High School.

Another EHS grad, freshman broadcasting major

Chelsey Childress, said she hadn’t attended classes Wednesday because they were all canceled. She was, however, planning to do her radio show late Wednesday afternoon.

“As far as I know, nothing has happened,” Childress said.

Childress’ mother, Kathy Nava-Sifuentes of Heartville, said she was pleased police reacted so strongly to the threat.

“It’s nice to know the school took all these precautions to keep the kids safe,” Nava-Sifuentes said.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.