Southern building evacuated after 'suspicious item' found

A classroom building at Southern University was evacuated Monday morning after "a suspicious item" was found in the parking lot.

In a release sent out to students and faculty just before 10:30 a.m., the university said it had closed John W. Fisher Hall and surrounding areas "out of an abundance of caution."

Students and faculty were asked to avoid the area until further notice. All classes held in Fisher Hall will meet virtually for the remainder of the day, a spokesman said.

Southern officials would not confirm further details.

"We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available," the announcement said.

The evacuation comes less than two weeks after the entire campus was evacuated following threats directed towards Southern and HBCU's around the country.