Emergency Preparedness

Contractors will be upgrading the electrical system for the Nicholls State University data center on Monday, Nov. 24th and Tuesday, Nov. 25th. During this time, some online Web services will be interrupted.

The following Nicholls on-line web services will be available:

• Student email: https://webmail.nicholls.edu/gw/
• Blackboard: https://blackboard.nicholls.edu/
• Faculty/Staff email: https://mail.nicholls.edu/
• Nicholls Athletics: http://www.geauxcolonels.com/
• The Nicholls Worth: http://www.thenichollsworth.com/
• Bookstore: http://nich.bkstore.com/

The following on-line web services will not be available:

• The Nicholls State University website
• The Colonel Card website
• The ICAN website
• The AdvisorTrac website

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH SENDING THREATENING E-MAIL

The FBI arrested Dyron Hart, a 19-year-old African-American male, from Poplarville, Miss. Wednesday, Nov. 12, and charged him with sending threatening e-mails.
The arrest came after three Nicholls State University students reported receiving the threatening e-mail through their Facebook accounts. “Yesterday’s arrest by the FBI and our federal response should serve as a powerful signal to all we serve that vile and threatening communications will not be tolerated and will be met with swift response,” said US Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the FBI affidavit, Hart admitted to sending the threatening message to people who were on his “friends” list using his Facebook Internet account. He admitted sending messages to students at Nicholls, Louisiana State University, University of Mississippi, University of Alabama, and to individuals near his Poplarville residence. His stated purpose for sending the messages (in part) was to create a reaction.”
University records show that Hart was enrolled at Nicholls for one semester – spring 2008. Rob Bernardi, athletics director, said “Hart attempted to earn a walk-on spot on the football team. He practiced with the team from April 3 through April 19, but failed to meet NCAA clearing house qualifications, and therefore was never a member of the team.”
Hart faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised released. He was booked in the Stone County Jail in Mississippi and will go before the judge Thursday, Nov.13.
“I am pleased at how quickly this matter was resolved,” said Dr. Stephen Hulbert, Nicholls president. “Our university police department worked in complete cooperation with the FBI, Louisiana State Police, the Poplarville Mississippi Police Department and the Assistant US Attorney’s Office to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”
Nicholls has requested the FBI assist the university by offering an Internet safety workshop for students during the spring 2009 semester.

The Office of the FBI, Eastern District, has informed Nicholls State University that the individual responsible for the threatening e-mails sent to at least three Nicholls students has been identified as a 19 year old, African-American male from Poplarville, Miss. The FBI reported that the investigation is continuing and that charges are pending the completion of the investigation. All questions regarding the matter should be directed to the FBI, Eastern District, New Orleans, La.

The Nicholls State University Police Department in conjunction with the Louisiana State Police and the FBI, Eastern District, would like to inform the public that the case involving e-mail messages containing threatening statements that were sent to students at Nicholls State University has been resolved. Authorities also want to make clear that there was no creditable threat to the University or its students. For further information, contact the FBI, Eastern District, New Orleans, La .

On Wednesday, November 5, 2008, several Nicholls students received an e-mail through their Facebook accounts. The e-mail was threatening and included racially based comments. University Police was notified of the matter at 11:40 a.m. and immediately launched an investigation and notified the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Louisiana. As of 4 p.m. sufficient information was secured from the investigation to confirm that the message did not originate from the University, that is, it did not come from a university computer or account. University Police will continue working with Facebook and the Attorney General’s Office until the matter is resolved.

The University Emergency Review and Response Team met at 1 p.m., November 5, 2008, to review the situation. The team concluded that the e-mail was sent to a group of individuals based upon their political views. The target of the message appears to be broad-based and not focused on Nicholls or the surrounding community. The team will continue to monitor the situation as additional information becomes available. If a direct threat is determined appropriate action will be taken by the University and you will be notified.

The University is committed to the ideals stated in the Nicholls Creed, which is included at the end of this message. Debate and the discussion of diverse and differing ideas are certainly welcomed in the University community. Conduct which threatens or results in a hostile environment that thwarts the aims and purposes of the University will not be tolerated. The Nicholls community stands as one against any form of conduct which prevents members of the University community from engaging in teaching, research, service or learning activities

Any threatening or abusive conduct should be immediately reported to University Police at 448-4746. Concerns may also be reported to Student Life (448-4525) or Human Resources (448-4050). Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to engage in collegial discussion of issues which face our campus, state and world. The search for truth and knowledge is paramount to the academy. Our collective voice is necessary as we stand against conduct which is threatening or creates a hostile campus environment.

THE NICHOLLS CREED

Preamble: As a member of the Nicholls community, I believe in the values that promote responsible citizenship, concern for self and others, and the desire to build a better world. To these ends, I pledge myself to the following:

I will value all members of the Nicholls community, respecting and appreciating their differences.

I will hold myself and others to the highest standards of academic, personal and social integrity.

I will conduct myself civilly in all things.

I will think before I act, and will accept responsibility for my words and my actions.

I will challenge what is wrong.

I will respect the rights and the person of all human beings and will avoid all acts of violence and abuse.

I will respect my body by not abusing it.

I will strive to make Nicholls State University a safe and clean educational environment.

I will serve the highest ideals of my community, now and in the future.

I will afford myself the best opportunity to succeed.