This notice follows up on the police notice sent March 10 and to apprise of the status of the You Tube postings and threatening e-mails sent to various members of the university community. The individual responsible has continued to send e-mails to students and university employees over the last several days.

University police have been following all leads and continue to believe these threats emanate from Italy. The police continue to work with Virginia State Police investigators and the FBI. The FBI is our liaison with Italian authorities. While we take all threats seriously, these law enforcement authorities do not believe these communications represent a credible threat.

The e-mails appeared to have been sent from either an AOL account or from fictitious @vt.edu e-mail addresses. Police emphasize that the latter are NOT actual Virginia Tech e-mail addresses. Police are confident that the e-mails are coming from the same source as the YouTube postings and that all of those messages are originating from Italy.

The individual responsible has made threats about March 18 as a day of possible action when he might commit harm. Given all that this university has endured, I can understand how this can be very upsetting to the university community. We know that e-mail notes and Facebook postings are being circulated and many are making their own conclusions not based on factual information. People are linking local events, such as alleged break-ins, with these threatening posts and e-mails, which are not borne out by the facts. All the indicators reviewed by law enforcement do not point to an immediate threat.

The university will be open as normal tomorrow. There has been and will continue to be enhanced police presence throughout the university. Because of the elevated concern expressed by the university community, I believe that an overabundance of caution is appropriate.

We ask that if you are the target of threatening e-mail correspondence or receive threatening postings on Facebook or YouTube, please report it immediately to Virginia Tech Police at 231-6411 or vtpolice@vt.edu. If you observe suspicious activity on campus, report it to Virginia Tech Police at (540) 231-6411 or if in town, contact Blacksburg Police at (540) 961-1150. We suggest that you share this note with family and friends.

Virginia Tech Police recommend the following:

• If you receive any suspicious or threatening e-mail or social network posts, please contact Virginia Tech Police and save any electronic files.
• Do not respond to any such e-mails.
• Avoid visiting or commenting on sites that contain threatening and harassing material.
• Be cautious in forwarding e-mails to friends or colleagues unless the information is factually correct.
• If you observe behaviors that cause you concern for your safety, or that of the community, contact the Virginia Tech Police.
• Use caution in posting personal information on profiles or social-networking sites.

I know that all this can and will be upsetting to our community. Report your concerns, but don’t be misled by speculative information or rumors. Remember that we have a number of offices throughout the university to support students, faculty, and staff. Remember that we are a community that cares for each other and I ask that you continue to support each other.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Steger
President

“For a century, Radford University has been providing Southwest Virginia students with an outstanding education, and the University deserves congratulations for this achievement,” Boucher said. “In that century, nearly 70,000 students have received a Radford education, many of whom have gone on to become our region’s leaders in business, education, health care, the arts, and other areas.”

Radford University was chartered on March 10, 1910, as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford with the mission of preparing teachers, and it was renamed in 1924 as Radford State Teachers College, in 1944 as the Women’s Division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and in 1964 as Radford College. The school became Radford University in 1979.

“Radford University is truly an invaluable asset to Southwest Virginia, and I would like to offer my congratulations to the University for its 100 years of service to our region,” Boucher said.

(more…)

Paraguayan guitarist and Barrios expert Luz Maria Bobadilla (right) and Flamenco guitarist/singer/dancer Marija Temo are among the featured musicians at the festival, which includes master classes, workshops and concerts.

“This festival is dedicated to bringing international performers and teachers to RU and the campus community. Our past performers have included Manuel Barrueco, the Pearl/Grey Duo, Nikita Koshkin, Carlo Barone, Ronn MacFarlane, Jorge Caballero, Paul O’Dette and Anthony Glise,” says Trent. “We’ve consistently drawn an audience to the New River Valley and have drawn them from beyond the borders of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 19, 8 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, Roanoke
Gala opening concert featuring all artists

Saturday, March 20, Covington Performance Hall, Radford University
9 a.m.: Youth group check-in; small ensembles
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: Youth technique class
10 a.m. - noon: Marija Temo; introduction to Flamenco/masterclass
11 a.m. - noon: Guitar Orchestra sectionals
Noon - 1 p.m.: Lunch on your own
1 - 2 p.m.: Robert Trent and Leslie Marrs flute and guitar duo concert
2 - 3:30 p.m.: Guitar orchestra featuring students and faculty
3 p.m.: Rehearsal and performance
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.: Showcase with soloist Max Hiner and Martha Craig
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.: Dinner on your own
7 p.m.: Marija Temo, Flamenco and Luz Maria Bobadillia, South American Guitar

Sunday, March 21, Covington Performance Hall
10 a.m. - noon: Luz Maria Bobadilla, South American Guitar Class
Noon - 2 p.m.: Marija Temo, Flamenco class

Admission to all events is free. To learn more, e-mail rstrent@radford.edu. More information is also available on Facebook.

The festival is sponsored by the RU Department of Music, the Campus Programming Committee, Mu Phi Epsilon and the Southwestern Virginia Classical Guitar Society.