January 15, 2021

We are in the midst of a tumultuous and volatile time in our country, with rising tensions and more unrest on the horizon, that may become violent.  While the focus so far has been on Washington, D.C., there are now warnings that protests may be spreading to state capitals across the country in the coming days.  Baltimore’s close proximity to D.C. and Annapolis has our community understandably on edge that unrest could come to the city, and possibly close to the MICA campus.

We are in regular contact with law enforcement agencies on the local, state, and federal level, and can share that, so far, there is no intelligence indicating violent protest activity occurring in Baltimore.  In the unlikely event there is a threat in close proximity to the campus, our Campus Safety team is fully prepared. MICA’s Emergency Operations Plan includes extensive protocols that will be activated if needed to ensure students, faculty, and staff on campus are kept safe and the College’s assets are protected.  We will continue to communicate with law enforcement agencies and the campus security leaders of other colleges and universities in Baltimore, and will quickly be informed if unrest is expected in the city.

Our Campus Safety team is on campus providing coverage on a 24/7 basis. In addition to regular patrols on and around the campus, and expanded building coverage protocols, officers will be investigating any suspicious activity in the general area, monitoring the light rail and train tracks that run behind the Fox and Station buildings, and checking on the College’s vulnerable assets such as power supplies and backup generators. 

We will keep the community informed of any significant developments in the coming days and weeks. In the event of an emergency, MICA will use its Alert/ Rave Guardian Emergency notification system, as well as the MICA App, and MICA website, to communicate an immediate or ongoing threat to our community.  You can download Rave Guardian from the App store on any smart phone or go here.

If anyone has questions or concerns, feel free to contact either of us or the Campus Safety Office at 410-225-2245. In an emergency, always call 911. Please note that local, State and federal officials strongly recommend not traveling to Washington D.C., especially in the area of the Capitol, until after the inauguration. 

We wish you and your loved ones continued health and safety.

Doug Mann, Vice President and COO
Marlon Byrd, Associate Vice President of Campus Safety