Ex-student’s threats close SPSCC Olympia campus to classes and vaccine clinics
South Puget Sound Community College has shifted all its learning to online until Monday, May 17, after a series of escalating threats from a former student, a spokeswoman for the college said Tuesday.
All of the threats have been communicated by email, Kelly Green said.
Initially, the former student, who was not identified, threatened self-harm on April 22, Green said. The college responded with some wellness checks of the student, but later the ex-student began to send emails to staff and faculty that were quite threatening, she said.
Most of the college’s students already are learning online because of the pandemic, Green said.
But the decision to switch entirely to virtual learning for a week affects some technical programs, such as welding and the college’s culinary program, she said.
Green estimated about 200 people were sent home for the week.
Olympia police are investigating, she said.
In addition to affecting classes, the threats prompted Thurston County Public Health and Social Services to relocate its mass vaccination events this week.
The county planned drive-through clinics from May 12-15 at the campus, according to a Tuesday news release. These events have now been moved to the Thurston County Fairgrounds on Carpenter Road in Lacey, the release says.
PHSS director Schelli Slaughter said in the release the county decided to move the clinics out of an abundance of caution.
“We are grateful for our partnership with South Puget Sound Community College and look forward to returning to the campus when we are assured it is safe to do so,” Slaughter said.
The following vaccination clinics are now relocated to the fairgrounds:
- Wednesday, May 12, 5 to 8 p.m. This is a Moderna clinic for anyone age 18 and older.
- Friday, May 14, 8 a.m. to noon. This is a Pfizer clinic for anyone age 16 and older.
- Saturday, May 15, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a Moderna clinic for anyone age 18 and older.
- Sunday, May 16, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a Pfizer clinic for anyone age 16 and older.
Appointments are no longer required at these events. However, residents can still pre-register by visiting the Thurston County coronavirus website or calling PHSS at 360-867-2610.
This story was originally published May 11, 2021 at 11:14 AM.
