NIU has experienced more than its fair share of trauma this academic year.

Aside from the tragedy of the Feb. 14 shootings, individuals have employed anonymous threats of violence in several instances. But the possible ramifications of making a threat go far beyond inciting fear in the public.

DeKalb State’s Attorney Ron Matekaitis said making a bomb threat is a Class 3 felony, punishable by two to five years in prison and a $3,000 to $10,000 fine. Making an ominous but vague threat, such as those scratched on bathroom walls in residence halls, is a Class 4 felony, punishable by one to three years in prison and an unspecified fine.

Matekaitis said the punishment for juveniles in such cases is determined by judges and varies from case to case.

“The state legislature obviously views this as a serious offense ... These types of actions are tremendously disruptive for students, faculty and staff,” Matekaitis said. “Unfortunately, some people exist out there with small minds that think it’s funny or a good way to avoid a test or just want to disrupt the university and for some reason get a thrill out of it. We look forward to prosecuting those individuals to the full extent of the law.”

Psychology professor Keith Millis speculated the threats may be motivated by a need for control.

“They could sit back and watch the results of their actions unfold,” Millis said. “They may not have control in their personal lives, so they seek control in other ways.”

Millis said they may also be motivated by conflict within the perpetrator’s life.

“They may be expressing hostility in which the target of the threat is a symbol,” Millis said. “Say, for instance, you’re pissed at your father, and this would be expressed with violence. That’s a sort of psycho-dynamic interpretation.”

Millis said this type of action falls somewhere between violent video games, in which the person can separate fantasy from reality while releasing violent urges, and actual violence, in which the person acts on their violent urges.

Millis’ history of psychology class plans to present an exhibit today, attempting to explain school violence from various psychological perspectives. Millis said the project was put into motion before the events of Feb. 14.

“We had to decide whether to continue,” Millis said of the decision proceed as planned. “As budding psychologists, we have a responsibility.”

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