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WMU unaffected by false alarm at KVCC

April 19, 2007

KALAMAZOO--Police have identified a 26 year-old Kalamazoo man they believe is responsible for an online message that prompted the closing of Kalamazoo Valley Community College this morning. The suspect will not face criminal charges, however, because the message, upon careful review, did not constitute a threat, according to Lt. Terry VanStreain of the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Department.

KVCC officials originally announced that both campuses of the community college and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum were be closed thought the weekend because of a very specific threat made against KVCC. The announcement, which was carried on local and nation television, resulted in a high volume of phone calls to several offices at Western Michigan University.

Even though there was never any indication of a threat to WMU, the University took steps to reassure the campus community that officials were monitoring closely the situation at the neighboring community college. WMU continued normal operations.

While the man taken into custody for the KVCC incident will not face criminal charges for his message, he was arrested on an unrelated charge of violating probation, according to an article published in the online version of the Kalamazoo Gazette.

The University community, family members and friends are reminded that emergency announcements will be posted immediately on the WMU home page, with additional information available in WMU News. As prescribed under WMU's emergency communication plan, announcements will also be available on the University's Emergency Information Line at (269) 387-1001.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news