Safety and Security

MSU is committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive campus community characterized by a culture of safety and respect.  The Graduate School values the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community.  Learn about the resources that are available to you to support you in your work on and off campus.

MSU Policies relating to personal and community safety and respect:

MSU Statement on Tolerance and Civility

University Policy on Relationship Violence & Sexual Misconduct

MSU Anti-Discrimination Policy

University Policy on Alcohol & Controlled Substances

University Policy on a Drug-Free Workplace

Firearms Policy

MSU Committment

Emergency alert system

MSU Police Department operates a timely warning emergency notification system through e-mail, text message and voice message to phones with campus safety warnings and information.  The MSU campus also has an outdoor speaker system used to launch severe weather warning sirens and/or an audible message detailing actions to take. On the first Saturday of each month at 1:00 p.m., the severe weather warning sirens are tested and that includes a pre-siren and post-siren audible message to test the speakers.

Reporting

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) accepts reports regarding any matters related to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking.  Individuals can report incidents to the OIE by completing an online Public Incident reporting form or by calling, emailing, or visiting the OIE office.  Visit https://civilrights.msu.edu/ to learn more about reporting.

MSU operates a telephone and web reporting Misconduct Hotline that provides an anonymous method to report known or suspected misconduct for MSU related to fiscal matters, conflicts of interest, employment, medical/HIPAA, research, safety, athletics, discrimination/harassment, privacy, retaliation, or any other are of legal, policy, or ethical concern.  The University prohibits retaliation against any individual who makes a report in good faith of known or suspected misconduct.  https://misconduct.msu.edu/

The MSU Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (https://police.msu.edu/) receives referrals by phone, e-mail, or online concerning cases of individuals engaged in behavior that might be a threat to self or others.  The multi-disciplinary team helps evaluate and support both the individual situation and the community surrounding the individuals (faculty, staff, administrators).

If you witness a crime in progress, always call 911.  You can also report suspicious activity or tips by texting the word MSUPD, along with a message, to 274637.  This is an anonymous text-a-tip service. 

Crisis and Emergency Support

The MSU Center for Survivors provides immediate crisis intervention and advocacy services to women and men who have been victims of rape or sexual assault, as well as proactive sexual assault prevention education programming for MSU community members.

MSU Safe Place provides advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, safety planning, information and referrals to survivors of violence and their minor children.  All support services are free and confidental.

MSU is committed to ending sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including relationship violence and sexual misconduct. Visit https://civilrights.msu.edu/ to learn more about reporting resources and support.

Travel Safety

If you are traveling internationally on University-affiliated business (research, presenting research or participating in an international conference, traveling with MSU faculty or staff or MSU affiliated programs), you must register your travel in advance  through the MSU Global Travel Registry.  Benefits include:  activation of free international health, evacuation and repatriation insurance; important pre-departure safety information; access to a crisis response tool.  If you are traveling to a country with a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or other high-risk destination you must receive a waiver in advance by submitting a waiver request form.

Visit the MSU International Health and Safety website for more information on travel safety.

If you are traveling abroad and you need emergency assistance you can call the 24/7 International Emergency Assistance Line: +1-517-353-3784

Annual Security and Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Higher Education Opportunity Act, MSU publishes an annual security and safety report ASFSR (also called the Clery Report) to provide its students and employees with an overview of the University's security and safety resources, policies and procedures.