Nov 24, 2015 12:06 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Bruce Shepard, president of Western Washington University (WWU), decided to close the school Tuesday in response to threats and hate speech made against students of color on social media.

According to KOMO News, law enforcement is investigating threats targeting minority students, which Shepard stated would take "the highest priority." WWU now be closed for the rest of the week due to the Thanksgiving break set to begin Wednesday.

"These are likely crimes in my view (and in the view of those in the criminal justice system we immediately involved). I cannot go into the details of an ongoing law enforcement investigation. Other than to assure you that this investigation is the highest priority of our campus law enforcement colleagues," Shepard said in a statement. "We do not know if the perpetrators are Western students. If not, they face the criminal justice system. If so, they also face the criminal justice system. And, when it comes to being associated with Western, I promise you it will not be for long."

Paul Cocke, a WWU spokesman, told The Seattle Times the decision to usher in the Thanksgiving break a day early was, "more than anything else, it's precautionary." He also clarified that the WWU Police are investigating the social media posts and the Bellingham Police are not currently involved.

"Have no doubt: this is not a capitulation to those I described as trolls and lowlifes," Shepard wrote in his statement. "We are going after them. Rather, the pause is necessary so that we may learn more as we advance the law enforcement investigation and, together, plan responses that will make us stronger. In a phrase I often hear you use, it is because 'Western Cares.'"

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