October 18, 2001

Powder Found In Mail At WKU
Tests Negative For Anthrax

Bowling Green, Ky. - A white powder found today in an envelope at Western Kentucky University has tested negative for anthrax.

The envelope was opened by an employee in the Cravens Library and Graduate Center about 11:45 a.m. The employee called WKU Police who restricted access to the building and called for assistance from the Bowling Green Fire Department.

Seven units and 21 firefighters responded. Firefighters, using a test kit provided by the Medical Center's Emergency Medical Services, performed a field test on the substance for the presence of anthrax. That test, which has a 95 percent accuracy rating, proved negative.

Approximately 365 people who were in the building when the powder was discovered were asked to stay in the building until the testing was completed. Once the results were obtained, they were allowed to leave and the building was reopened.

WKU Police are contacting the FBI and will send the powder to a lab for further testing, said Chief Bob Deane. He said WKU Police will lead the investigation to determine who sent the letter.

Dr. Gene Tice, vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Services, said the University will prosecute those responsible "to the fullest extent available."

"This may not have been anthrax, but we are not treating this as a hoax," Dr. Tice said. "We will do everything we can to find out who did this and take whatever action we can against them."

WKU President Gary Ransdell said the University will continue to take measures to ensure the safety of the campus community, including educating students, faculty and staff on the dangers and how to respond to them.

"This is a serious matter and will be treated as such," Dr. Ransdell said. "However, we realize that most of these incidents will be caused by people who enjoy disrupting the normal routine and who feed on the publicity the disruption generates."

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