ISU campus on alert after threatening graffiti found

Illinois State University officials gave students the option of skipping class today, after more threatening graffiti appeared on the Normal campus overnight.

An increased police presence on campus also continues today, according to ISU President Al Bowman.

The graffiti was similar to a message scrawled Wednesday on a dormitory toilet paper dispenser that read "ISU is the next NIU," an ISU spokesman said.

"Understandably, many students remain nervous," Bowman wrote in a letter to students today. "Students who wish to remain in their residence halls and apartments will not be penalized for missing class."

Some faculty members chose to cancel classes today, an ISU spokesman said.

Campus police continue to investigate. The vandal faces expulsion, a spokesman said.