Dear MCAD Staff, Faculty, and Students,
I want to provide an update regarding a bomb threat that was made to campus this morning. I know that, given everything our community has been navigating in recent days, this additional incident may have caused real concern, anxiety, and fatigue. I have outlined below what we kno w, what actions were taken, and what comes next.
What Happened This Morning
Earlier today, MCAD received a bomb threat referencing specific campus spaces. We immediately implemented our emergency protocols, and the Minneapolis Police Department responded promptly. Out of an abundance of caution, we conducted a full sweep of the spaces mentioned in the threat. No suspicious items or activity were found. Law enforcement has determined the threat was not credible as it is part of a wide-spread hoax affecting more than fifteen other institutions across Minneapolis.
To be clear: this bomb threat was not related to ICE or immigration enforcement activity. There have been no reports of federal enforcement activity on MCAD’s campus since my last update.
Operations have resumed as normal.
Campus Safety Protocol
I want to briefly explain how MCAD responds to threats of this nature. With the support of MPD, this threat was quickly identified as a hoax. However, even when a threat is deemed unsubstantiated, MCAD’s first response is still to proceed with an abundance of caution in order to ensure saf ety and verify facts.
This includes:
Immediate implementation of our campus safety and emergency operating procedur es.
Evacuation and securing of impacted areas as needed.
Coordination with law enforcement and other appropriate external partners.
A detailed search/sweep of referenced spaces.
Timely campus-wide communication through Omnilert and/or email, as appropriate.
Our goal is always to respond quickly and responsibly. We prioritize safety while avoiding unnecessary escalation once credible information is available.
Spring Classes Begin as Scheduled
As I stated in my email yesterday, spring classes will begin as planned on Tuesday, January 20, in their regular format.
I have been reading your respon ses to my email and want to reiterate that individuals who have needs related to personal or family circumstances should reach out to their supervisor, faculty member, or Student Affairs to determine an appropriate plan. Faculty and academic leadership will work to support students with care and flexibility where needed.
I am deeply grateful to our Campus Safety team and all staff who responded quickly and calmly this morning, showing the consistent steadiness and care for our entire community. While events like this are unsettling, MCAD is prepared, responsive, and committed to your safety and well-being.
We will continue to monitor developments and share updates as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Gwen