IUP says social media report of stabbing false as IUPatty’s begins

Officials at Indiana University of Pennsylvania issued an email to students and employees early Saturday indicating that reports on social media of violence involving students were false.

Officials said they sent the email to counteract a comment that “some student got stabbed” that was part of a spike in traffic using YikYak, an app targeted for college students.

First responders were busy answering calls in the Indiana Borough area between 7 a.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday as the IUPatty’s weekend got underway, but there were no reports of large, out-of-control gatherings, according to the Indiana Area Collaborative Team (I-ACT).

That team of 19 state, county and local organizations — including IUP police and student groups — formed a decade ago to counter and respond to disruptive gatherings and behavior in the Indiana area, such as those that have occurred during past IUPatty’s, spring celebrations that are organized by students and not sanctioned by the university.

During the 24-hour period ending 7 a.m. Saturday, according to I-ACT:

• Indiana Borough police responded to 72 calls for service and nine IUP-related calls. They made two arrests each for public drunkenness, retail theft and underage drinking and issued two noise citations.

• State police made several DUI arrests and at least one arrest for drug possession.

• Citizens’ Ambulance Service responded to four calls at IUP residence halls and one at the off-campus Heritage House Apartments.

• In White Township, which surrounds Indiana Borough, there were daytime reports of loud music and some parking issues on Grandview Avenue.