January 22, 2026
Thom Carroll/For PhillyVoice
Villanova University closed its campus Thursday, Jan. 22 after receiving a threat of violence targeting an academic building. The photo above is a file photo.
Villanova University says it is safe for people to be on its campus as it further investigates a threat of violence made against an academic building Thursday morning. However, classes and activities are canceled for the remainder of the day.
The university closed after receiving the threat, but in the hours that followed, school officials said they received no reports of active danger.
Shortly after 11 a.m., the university said it was again safe for people to wander campus. Only the student health center, library, Connelly Center and the three main dining halls — Dougherty, Donahue and St. Mary's Hall — will remain open for student use.
The threat is being investigated by the FBI, local law enforcement authorities and the school's public safety department. Multiple universities received similar threats, school officials said, but the locations of those universities have not been disclosed.
An increased police presence will remain in effect throughout the day, the university said.
In the hours after Villanova received the threat, students who live on campus were advised to remain in their residence halls and faculty, staff and off-campus students were advised not to enter campus.
"While we are ascertaining the validity of the threat, out of an abundance of caution, the University will be closed today, and all activities are cancelled," the university said in an alert issued at 7:21 a.m.
Shortly after 9 a.m., the university confirmed that there was no immediate danger to the campus. University officials and the FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In August, reports of an active shooter on campus prompted the university to shut down during its during its annual orientation mass. Law enforcement officials determined the threat was a "cruel hoax" that mirrored similar threats made at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and University of Colorado Boulder.
A report from an anti-extremism group said the so-called "swatting" incidents likely were perpetrated by an underground cybercrime group.
This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.
