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JANESVILLE, Wis. — Police raced to the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater at Rock County Friday afternoon after the campus issued an emergency bulletin warning of a “life-safety threat.” The alert, posted at 3:15 p.m., urged everyone on the Janesville grounds to follow instructions from law enforcement while clarifying that no danger existed at UW-Whitewater’s main campus in Whitewater. Within minutes, squads from Janesville Police and Rock County Sheriff’s Office converged on the two-year branch campus, which enrolls about 830 students. Sirens and squad lights lined Kellogg Avenue as officers secured buildings, searched common areas and interviewed witnesses. By late afternoon authorities had not reported injuries, arrests or the nature of the potential threat, but said the situation was “contained” and that an all-clear would be announced through the university’s emergency notification system. Students who were in class when the alert sounded told reporters they received a text reading “Life safety threat—shelter immediately,” followed by instructions to stay away from windows and silence phones. “I locked the door, turned off the lights and sat on the floor with the rest of my lab,” sophomore engineering major Maya Hernandez said. “Campus police knocked and escorted us out about 20 minutes later.” University spokesperson Jeff Angileri emphasized that UW-Whitewater’s main campus, 25 miles east, remained open. “We activated protocols exactly as designed—timely alerts, coordinated response with local agencies and frequent updates,” Angileri said. “Our highest priority is protecting students, faculty and staff.” Friday’s scare comes as higher-education leaders nationwide review safety plans amid an uptick in swatting calls and social-media threats. In Wisconsin alone, at least six K-12 districts reported false active-shooter reports this month. Cybersecurity professor Dr. Laura Migliore noted that many hoax threats aim to disrupt operations rather than cause physical harm. “Institutions should expect more frequent, digitally coordinated threats,” Migliore said, urging colleges to invest in multilayered alert systems and mental-health outreach. Rock County authorities said additional information—including any suspect description, motive or possible charges—will be released after investigators complete interviews and review surveillance footage. Classes at UW-Whitewater Rock County are scheduled to resume Monday, though officials said counselors will be available and professors have been asked to offer flexibility to affected students. Anyone with firsthand information or video of Friday’s events is urged to contact Janesville Police at 608-755-3100.