Campus Alert Archive
SJSU

Threat graffiti in MacQuarrie Hall bathroom prompts safety advisory

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CAthreat of violencetimely warninghigh confidence
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Under Investigation

On March 4, 2026, SJSU University Police issued an AlertSJSU Community Safety Advisory after hateful graffiti and a written threat of violence directed at the Jewish community were found in a MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall, referencing possible violence on March 11.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
San José State University
Public Masters · CA
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~36,000 studentsAlertSJSU
Official alert policy
Read when and how SJSU says it will use Alert SJSU: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence · 2 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim1193 chars
AlertSJSU: This Community Safety Advisory is being issued by the University Police Department (UPD) and the purpose is to provide information about an incident that occurred on or near campus that does not pose an immediate threat but still pertains to the safety and security of the university community. Campus Operations Status: Normal / No Change Incident Location: MacQuarrie Hall Date and Time the Incident Occurred (Approximate): Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5pm General Summary: University Police were made aware of hateful graffiti and a written threat of violence scrawled into a bathroom stall in MacQuarrie Hall. The threat indicated campus violence of a non-specific nature would be perpetrated on campus on March 11, and the threat was directed at the Jewish community. UPD is actively investigating this incident. In response to the threat, University Police are bringing additional officers to campus to increase foot patrols. If you have any information that would assist with this investigation, please report it immediately either by calling UPD (408) 924-2222, reporting through the Spartan Safe mobile app, or by using one of the following links: Title IX-EO Reporting Form
Verify this quote
SJSU Community Safety Advisory PDF (AlertSJSU), Mar 4, 2026sjsu.edufind archived copies
Full AlertSJSU body from official PDF; PDF ends mid-links section as transmitted in the advisory export.
UPDATEEmail+8d
Verified verbatim561 chars
AlertSJSU: This is an update to the Community Safety Advisories we've sent regarding hateful graffiti that included a written threat of violence. Additional graffiti was found and removed this week from a campus bathroom. The University Police Department investigation is ongoing, and no evidence has been identified to indicate a credible threat. Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the University Police Department at (408) 924-2222. Visit sjsu.edu/campussafety for information and future updates about these incidents.
Verify this quote
SJSU Community Safety Advisory Update PDF, Mar 13, 2026sjsu.edufind archived copies
AlertSJSU update PDF; sjsu.edu/campussafety URL as printed without hyphen.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

AlertSJSU: This Community Safety Advisory is being issued by the University Police Department (UPD) and the purpose is to provide information about an incident that occurred on or near campus that does not pose an immediate threat but still pertains to the safety and security of the university community. Campus Operations Status: Normal / No Change Incident Location: MacQuarrie Hall Date and Time the Incident Occurred (Approximate): Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5pm General Summary: University Police were made aware of hateful graffiti and a written threat of violence scrawled into a bathroom stall in MacQuarrie Hall. The threat indicated campus violence of a non-specific nature would be perpetrated on campus on March 11, and the threat was directed at the Jewish community. UPD is actively investigating this incident. In response to the threat, University Police are bringing additional officers to campus to increase foot patrols. If you have any information that would assist with this investigation, please report it immediately either by calling UPD (408) 924-2222, reporting through the Spartan Safe mobile app, or by using one of the following links: Title IX-EO Reporting Form

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Majority finds s present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 1.
    2. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 2.
    3. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 3.
    4. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 4.
    5. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 5.
    6. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 6.
    7. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 7.
    8. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 8.
    9. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 9.
    10. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 10.
    11. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 11.
    12. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 12.
    13. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 13.
    14. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 14.
    15. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 15.
    16. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 16.
    17. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 17.
    18. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 18.
    19. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 19.
    20. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 20.
    21. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 21.
    22. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 22.
    23. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 23.
    24. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 24.
    25. present: Element S present: AlertSJSU / University Police Department. Independent coding pass 25.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Majority finds h present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 1.
    2. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 2.
    3. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 3.
    4. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 4.
    5. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 5.
    6. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 6.
    7. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 7.
    8. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 8.
    9. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 9.
    10. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 10.
    11. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 11.
    12. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 12.
    13. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 13.
    14. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 14.
    15. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 15.
    16. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 16.
    17. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 17.
    18. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 18.
    19. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 19.
    20. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 20.
    21. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 21.
    22. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 22.
    23. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 23.
    24. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 24.
    25. present: Element H present: hateful graffiti and threat of violence. Independent coding pass 25.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Majority finds l present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 1.
    2. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 2.
    3. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 3.
    4. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 4.
    5. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 5.
    6. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 6.
    7. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 7.
    8. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 8.
    9. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 9.
    10. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 10.
    11. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 11.
    12. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 12.
    13. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 13.
    14. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 14.
    15. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 15.
    16. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 16.
    17. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 17.
    18. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 18.
    19. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 19.
    20. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 20.
    21. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 21.
    22. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 22.
    23. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 23.
    24. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 24.
    25. present: Element L present: MacQuarrie Hall bathroom stall. Independent coding pass 25.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Majority finds g present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 1.
    2. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 2.
    3. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 3.
    4. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 4.
    5. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 5.
    6. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 6.
    7. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 7.
    8. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 8.
    9. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 9.
    10. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 10.
    11. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 11.
    12. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 12.
    13. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 13.
    14. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 14.
    15. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 15.
    16. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 16.
    17. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 17.
    18. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 18.
    19. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 19.
    20. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 20.
    21. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 21.
    22. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 22.
    23. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 23.
    24. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 24.
    25. present: Element G present: report to UPD / Spartan Safe; foot patrols. Independent coding pass 25.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Majority finds t present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 1.
    2. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 2.
    3. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 3.
    4. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 4.
    5. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 5.
    6. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 6.
    7. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 7.
    8. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 8.
    9. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 9.
    10. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 10.
    11. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 11.
    12. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 12.
    13. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 13.
    14. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 14.
    15. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 15.
    16. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 16.
    17. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 17.
    18. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 18.
    19. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 19.
    20. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 20.
    21. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 21.
    22. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 22.
    23. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 23.
    24. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 24.
    25. present: Element T present: Wednesday March 4 2026 at 5pm; March 11 threat date. Independent coding pass 25.
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Majority finds i present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 1.
    2. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 2.
    3. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 3.
    4. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 4.
    5. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 5.
    6. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 6.
    7. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 7.
    8. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 8.
    9. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 9.
    10. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 10.
    11. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 11.
    12. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 12.
    13. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 13.
    14. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 14.
    15. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 15.
    16. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 16.
    17. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 17.
    18. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 18.
    19. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 19.
    20. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 20.
    21. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 21.
    22. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 22.
    23. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 23.
    24. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 24.
    25. present: Element I present: threat of violence directed at Jewish community. Independent coding pass 25.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

SJSU issues AlertSJSU Community Safety Advisories for graffiti and threat incidents that do not rise to immediate emergency notifications but still require community notice under Clery-style practice.
Analysis

Key Findings

Hazard named as graffiti and written threat of violence.
Location MacQuarrie Hall.
Guidance to report to UPD or Spartan Safe.
Outcome
Campus operations remained normal/no change. UPD increased foot patrols and requested tips; investigation ongoing at the time of the advisory.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    Community Safety Advisory Mar 4 2026 PDF
    sjsu.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "San José State University: Threat graffiti in MacQuarrie Hall bathroom prompts safety advisory." Incident of March 4, 2026. Added July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/san-jose-state-university-macquarrie-hall-threat-graffiti-2026-03-04/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
sjsuthreatgraffitialertsjsuUnder Investigation
Added July 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion