CHADRON - Students and faculty were allowed to return to campus at Chadron State College Friday night after a nearly five-hour long evacuation order was given due to a bomb threat the campus call center received Friday afternoon.

College President Dr. Randy Rhine says the all-clear was given after authorities searched the campus and found no evidence of a bomb or other threats.

"Thanks to the students and employees who took this threat seriously and did the right thing by evacuating campus in a safe manner,” Rhine said. "I'm so glad we did not find anything.”

Campus officials reported the threat shortly before 3 p.m. An evacuation alert was sent to students and faculty "on a report of a dangerous situation on/near campus." If students did not have a safe place to go off campus, they were directed to go to the Assumption Arena.  The order was lifted at 7:45 p.m.

“They (law enforcement) all responded quickly and worked efficiently to get our campus back to normal," Rhine said.

Director of College Relations, Alex Helmbrecht, says the evacuation order reflected a decision to err on the side of caution. 

Friday's basketball doubleheader with Colorado State University-Pueblo was cancelled. No make-up date has been released. Saturday's games with Adams State University are expected to be played at the Chicoine Center at 5:30 p.m.

The Chadron Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Dawes County Sheriff's Office and Campus Security responded to the scene. 

Chadrad Radio in Chadron contributed to this report.