Times Staff Report

After two instances of threatening graffiti in the past week, St. Xavier University officials have made the decision to close its campuses indefinitely, beginning tonight.

Students have been asked to leave campus by noon today, according to a statement from St. Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer posted on the university's Web site.

The latest graffiti was found Thursday in Regina Hall, a freshman residence hall, and read "Be prepared to die on 4/14," the statement said.

School officials consulted multiple law enforcement agencies before deciding to close the university's sites, including Chicago and Orland Park campuses, and a downtown Chicago location, the statement said.

St. Xavier University's main campus is located west of Kedzie Avenue on 103rd Street. The Catholic liberal arts school educates 5,700 students.

According to the statement:

Officials found graffiti of a threatening but nonspecific nature last week in a bathroom stall in Regina Hall. The incident was reported by staff to the St. Xavier University Police Department, which in turn contacted the Chicago Police Department.

After finding the message, St. Xavier added staff to Regina Hall and began speaking with individual residents. University and Chicago police also increased patrols.

"While the credibility of the first threat was difficult to determine, the university believed it prudent to err on the side of caution and take several preliminary steps," the statement said.

Anyone with information is asked to call St. Xavier's confidential tipline at (773) 298-3838.