Muscatine Community College Reopens Campus Following Threat

Students and staff are heading back to class today at Muscatine Community College after the campus abruptly closed due to a threat. Officials have determined there is no longer a threat to the college, its students, and its staff, but police and officials are still investigating.

Get our free mobile app

Late Wednesday afternoon, officials from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges and Muscatine Community College announced in a social media post that the Muscatine campus will reopen today (12/1/2022) following the ongoing investigation of a potential threat.

Officials said the reason for the immediate closure (which was stated in a previous release) was that the college received an email including a threat Wednesday morning, which led to the campus being closed to assure the safety of everyone.

College officials are continuing to work with the Muscatine Police Department and have determined there is no ongoing threat. With that being said, officials have determined that it’s safe for college classes and operations to resume as normal on Thursday, December 1.

Muscatine Community College officials said in the press release,

"We recognize this has been a stressful situation for students and employees. To help ensure everyone feels safe and supported, students and employees can expect increased security measures as well as an on-site counselor who will be available to provide services and support."

Officials from the college shared their appreciation for the cooperation of students and staff in their willingness to immediately follow the school's request to secure the campus.

Muscatine and Eastern Iowa Community College officials said they will continue to keep students, faculty, staff, and the community informed as updates become available on their website, www.eicc.edu.

For additional questions, officials say to contact Lt. David O’Connor with the Muscatine Police Department at 563-263-9922 or doconnor@muscatineiowa.gov.

Get our free mobile app

Original Story

In a late-morning social media post on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, officials from Muscatine Community College and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (who along with Muscatine, operated Clinton and Scott Community Colleges), issued a statement that the Muscatine Community College Main Campus (152 Colorado St.) was closing immediately.

The reason for this closure of the Muscatine Main Campus was because of a threat to the college. Officials didn't say exactly what the threat was but said that students and employees were asked to leave the campus.

Muscatine and Eastern Iowa Community College officials said in their post,

"We are working with local law enforcement to conduct an investigation. We will continue to keep the college updated as information becomes available."

Officials said in the comment of the same post,

"In an abundance of caution, the campus is being cleared and student housing is in lockdown with access restricted to student residents only. We're continuing to work with local law enforcement."

As of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the Muscatine campus remained closed.

Parents of kids who attend the Muskie Early Learning Center (149 Colorado St.) which is right across the street from Muscatine Community College, were concerned about their kids in the comments of the same post.

One parent took a screenshot of a post from MELC Principal Jessie Freers who said she was in contact with the Muscatine Police Department.

This story is currently developing.