THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Marketing and Public Relations
NEWS RELEASE




For Immediate Release Contact: Lisa S. Mader
June 4, 2004 (601) 408-0158
Shelia White
(228) 324-4573

Long Beach, MS -- A suspicious device was discovered this afternoon in the Library on the Gulf Park campus of The University of Southern Mississippi. The device was discovered in a book bag that was left unattended in a computer laboratory located in the Library. University administrators were immediately notified and the Long Beach Police were called in to investigate.
Currently on scene at the Long Beach campus are Provost Jay Grimes, Chief Operating Officer Ken Malone, university security, fire and police personnel from Long Beach, Gulfport and Biloxi, and other law enforcement agencies.
University students and personnel were asked to leave campus.
Security sweeps of buildings on the Long Beach campus and the Hattiesburg campus began immediately upon notification to the administration. Those security sweeps are ongoing. There is reason to believe that this is an isolated incident.
Law enforcement personnel are currently investigating the device to determine its contents. More information will be made available to the media as it is verified.

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Whew.....Grimes and Malone are on the scene. I'll rest easier knowing that.....