ON-CAMPUS SAFETY: LIVE ON, LIVE SAFE
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY
MSU wants to support the physical and mental health and safety of our students. REHS, in coordination with the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS), work to provide a safe and secure living environment for our residents.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, CALL OR TEXT 911.
RESIDENCE HALL SAFETY
Only invite people you know to your on-campus home. Don’t allow others to follow behind you to gain access to your building. Lock your room or apartment door when you leave. Do not prop open living wing or exterior doors. Get to know your neighbors and look out for one another. If you see or hear something harmful, tell your RA and call MSU Police at 517-355-2221. For emergencies, call or text 911. Secure your belongings in public spaces, including lounges and laundry rooms.
It's important to note that residence hall living wings are securely locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Access to living wings and elevators, as well as building entrances outside of regular hours, requires a valid MSU ID card. Residence halls lacking dining facilities, classrooms, or office spaces remain locked 24/7 to maintain a safe and protected environment for all residents.
PERSONAL SAFETY
All residence hall wings are locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A valid MSU ID card is required for access to living wings and elevators. All guests must be escorted by a resident for the duration of their stay. Residence hall room doors are equipped with viewers, and students are encouraged to keep their room door always locked. Do not prop open living wing or exterior doors. Only invite people you know to your on-campus home. Also make sure to be aware of your surroundings. Know your exits in case of an emergency.
FIRE SAFETY
Residence halls are equipped with fire alarm systems, fire-rated doors and hard-wired smoke detectors. All halls have monthly drills and are inspected annually. The East Lansing Fire Department station on campus allows for quick responses.
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ON CAMPUS
Bikes and mopeds must be registered with MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. Be sure to lock your vehicle and check on your transportation periodically while it's parked and secured on campus.
TRAVELING ON CAMPUS SAFETY
Be sure you have a friend to walk with, or consider CATA’s Night Owl, which provides late night/early morning service between any two locations on MSU’s campus.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG SAFETY
Anyone under 21 drinking alcohol in your room or apartment is in direct violation of university policy. If you or a friend shows signs of alcohol poisoning or if you’ve been drugged, call or text 911. Medical amnesty laws could provide legal protection in emergency situations. If you do go out, designate a driver or plan for a ride before going out.
TOBACCO SAFETY
MSU is a tobacco- and smoke-free campus. Smoking, vaping, tobacco use, and marijuana use are prohibited on campus. Cessation resources are available at tobaccofree.msu.edu.
LEARN HOW TO BE AN ACTIVE BYSTANDER
You can use the following methods to help someone: Direct intervention; Distract to diffuse the situation; Delegate by enlisting help.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
If you see or hear something concerning, call or text 911.
BE MINDFUL OF FRIENDS' BEHAVIOR.
If you or a friend are feeling overwhelmed, talk to your RA, or submit a report to the Care and Intervention Team. Emergency resources are listed below.
ON-CAMPUS SAFETY: RESOURCES ON CAMPUS TO HELP YOU HAVE A SAFE SPARTAN EXPERIENCE
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
MSU's emergency notification system sends emergency messaging to subscribe MSU community members. When students enroll at MSU, their MSU email is automatically added to the university’s emergency alert system. To receive alert notifications on a cell phone, students must update their contact information at alert.msu.edu.
Parents, families and the community can sign up by texting MSUALERT to 888777.
Visit MSU Alert for more information
SAFEMSU APP
The SafeMSU App was designed based on the input of students, faculty and staff at MSU. The app provides access to a number of safety resources right from your smartphone. A key feature to the app is the “Virtual Friend Walk,” which allows students to share their location with a friend in real time so they can monitor their journey to their destination. Learn more on the MSU Police and Public Safety website.
GREEN LIGHT EMERGENCY PHONES
Green emergency phones are installed on every residence hall floor and connect directly to 911 with the push of a single button.
SECURITY CAMERAS
Student safety is a top priority at MSU, and a key point to keeping the Spartan community safe is surveillance. MSU has continued to add indoor and outdoor security cameras to enhance security on campus. Cameras have been installed to monitor areas of residence halls (points of entry, exits and common areas) and places where cash/card transactions occur.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
MSU's Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers confidential, same-day help to students regarding depression, anxiety, stress management, LGBTQIATS+ issues, eating or body image, substance abuse, trauma, and other mental health concerns. For more information, visit CAPS.
EMERGENCY RESOURCES
MSU Sexual Assault Program 24-hour Crisis Hotline: 517-372-6666
MSU Community Mental Health: 800-372-8460 or 517-346-8460
MSU Safe Place (Domestic Violence Shelter): 517-355-1100
MSU Department of Police and Public Safety: 517-355-2221
Counseling and Psychiatry Services: 517-355-8270, and press “1”
24-Hour Olin Health Center Nurse Line: 517-353-5557
