UMass Boston Surges in Rankings Amid Major Campus Expansion and 2025 Tuition Freeze

UMass Boston was placed on high alert Thursday afternoon after reports of shots fired near the East Residence Hall, triggering a rapid multi-agency response and a temporary shelter-in-place order that has since been lifted. Boston Police, Massachusetts State Police, and UMass Boston’s own Department of Public Safety converged on the Dorchester campus shortly before 4 p.m. after 911 callers reported hearing gunfire around 240 Morrissey Boulevard, the address of the university’s newest dormitory complex. Shelter-in-Place Alert and Immediate Response Within minutes, university officials sent text and email alerts instructing students, faculty, and staff to “shelter in place, lock doors, and stay away from windows.” Boston Police cruisers blocked campus entrances while tactical units swept residential and academic buildings floor by floor. The MBTA temporarily suspended Red Line service to the nearby JFK/UMass station to keep the perimeter clear. What Police Discovered By 5:30 p.m., authorities announced they had “no evidence of an active shooter” and found no victims or shell casings. Investigators are now trying to determine whether the initial calls stemmed from fireworks, a mechanical noise, or a false report. “Out of an abundance of caution we initiated a full response,” Boston Police Superintendent Felipe Hernandez said during a sidewalk press briefing. “We will continue to investigate and review campus security footage.” Impact on Classes and Campus Operations All evening classes scheduled for Thursday were canceled, and university officials said academic operations would resume Friday with an increased police presence. Residence halls remained locked down until 6 p.m., when students were allowed to move about with ID checkpoints. Dining services extended hours to accommodate those who missed meals during the alert. Student Reactions: Anxiety but Also Praise for Communication Sophomore biology major Haley Nguyen, who sheltered with 30 classmates in the Integrated Sciences Complex, said the alerts were “fast and clear,” though she described a tense hour scrolling social media for updates. “After what happened at UNLV last year, every loud noise feels scarier,” Nguyen said. Junior business student Marcus Ellis added that he appreciated seeing “Boston police literally everywhere” as he left a late-afternoon seminar. University Statement on Safety Upgrades UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco emphasized that the campus has invested more than $3 million in security upgrades since 2023, including additional blue-light phones, surveillance cameras, and mandatory active-shooter drills for resident assistants. “Today’s events underscore why our preparedness matters,” he said in a written statement. The chancellor encouraged anyone needing counseling services to contact the University Health Services center, which has expanded walk-in hours through the weekend. Historical Context: Past Incidents and Ongoing Concerns Thursday’s scare is the second major public-safety alert at UMass Boston in the past five years. In 2021, the campus issued a similar shelter-in-place order after a report of a person with a weapon that turned out to be a prop for a film project. Nationwide, higher-education institutions have seen a 34 percent increase in emergency alerts related to potential gun violence since 2020, according to the Department of Education’s Clery Act data. Traffic and Neighborhood Disruptions The police perimeter caused significant traffic backups along Morrissey Boulevard and the Southeast Expressway. Local residents of Dorchester’s Savin Hill neighborhood were advised to avoid the Harbor Point entrance until authorities cleared the scene around sunset. The MBTA resumed full service just before 7 p.m. Next Steps in the Investigation Boston Police detectives are interviewing witnesses and reviewing footage from more than 150 security cameras covering the East Residence Hall and adjacent parking lots. Anyone with information is urged to call Boston Police District C-11’s anonymous tip line at 617-474-TIPS. How to Stay Informed UMass Boston community members can sign up for real-time alerts via the UMass Boston Safe app and follow @UMBPolice on X (formerly Twitter) for updates. The university also maintains an emergency information page that will post official statements and FAQs throughout the investigation. Key Takeaways for Parents and Prospective Students • No injuries have been reported, and officials found no evidence of an active shooter. • Classes will resume Friday with heightened security. • The incident highlights ongoing investments in campus safety infrastructure. As investigators piece together what triggered Thursday’s alarm, UMass Boston is already reviewing its emergency protocols to ensure the community remains prepared for any future threats.