Stories

Safety, security updates for fall 2024
Sept. 13, 2024

Working to create a safer and stronger community for all Spartans is paramount to everything we do at the Department of Police and Public Safety.  Read more

Update on spaces at Berkey Hall, MSU Union
Aug. 1, 2024

For some, reentering these spaces may be too difficult or stressful, and we support you regardless of what decision you make.  Read more

Survey closes on Feb. 13 memorial; call for proposals next step
April 12, 2024

A focus on remembering, honoring, healing and processing grief were the top responses for the most important purpose of a Feb. 13 memorial, according to nearly 2,000 MSU community members who filled out a survey. Read more

MSU DPPS releases new active violence incident training video
March 25, 2024

Students, faculty and staff are also strongly encouraged to take the full AVI Awareness training course on MSU’s Ability Training platform. Read more

Update on renovations to MSU Union, Berkey Hall
March 21, 2024

Design teams for each location worked closely with trauma-informed experts as part of the planning process. Importantly, directly impacted families and individuals were provided opportunities to review plans and offer feedback. Read more

Community feedback sought for Feb. 13 memorial
March 4, 2024

MSU is inviting all members of the Spartan community to engage in the process of shaping a lasting campus memorial in honor and remembrance of those lost and those affected. Read more

MSU community comes together to reflect, remember Feb. 13
Feb. 14, 2024

At spaces around the main campus and in the East Lansing community, Spartans joined together to reflect, grieve and honor those who were lost and all who were impacted by the tragic events of Feb. 13, 2023. Read more

Details for Feb. 13 remembrance events
Feb. 7, 2024

The events and activities planned for Feb. 13, 2024, provide an opportunity for individuals, in their own way, to reflect, grieve and honor those we lost, those injured and all impacted by the tragedy. Read more

Campus safety and security update
Jan. 30, 2024

Throughout the past year, the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, or DPPS, has been hard at work enhancing several different campus safety and security initiatives. Read more

Spartan Strong Fund paves path to healing
Jan. 25, 2024

Recognizing the various needs of those affected by the Feb. 13, students, faculty, staff and first responders can now apply for reimbursements for mental health services from the Spartan Strong Fund. Read more

Remembrance updates for Feb. 13, 2024
Jan. 19, 2024

Many of you already have begun reflecting on the approaching one-year mark of the violence our campus faced on Feb. 13, 2023. Read more

Plans for Feb. 13, 2024
Dec. 11, 2023

The planning underway strives to provide space and time for individualized reactions and experiences as we honor those we lost, those injured, and all impacted. Read more

Online active violence training for Spartan community introduced
Dec. 4, 2023

This course is available and strongly recommended for all students, faculty and staff. Read more

Berkey Hall plans for spring semester 2024
Oct. 27, 2023

As was announced previously, Berkey Hall will reopen to academic classes for the Spring 2024 semester. Read more

MSU releases independent after-action report on Feb. 13 response
Oct. 17, 2023

Security Risk Management Consultants finds university’s ‘response was appropriate, timely and correct.’ Read more

Campus safety and security update
Aug. 25, 2023

MSU Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch provided the campus community an update regarding safety and security measures that have and will be implemented during the upcoming academic year. Read more

Classes will not meet on Feb. 13, 2024
Aug. 1, 2023

MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., announced there will be no classes held on Feb. 13, 2024 and that Berkey Hall is being made available for the fall semester to faculty, academic and support staff and graduate students with office spaces in the building. Read more

Spartan Strong Fund to assist those directly impacted by Feb. 13 tragedy
June 9, 2023

University shared information on distribution of Spartan Strong funds. Read more

Message from Vice President and Chief Safety Officer on expanding MSU's safety and security network
June 7, 2023

Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch shared an update with the campus community on the continuing safety and security progress made on campus. Read more

Campus safety initiatives update
April 28, 2023

Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. and Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch shared an update with the campus community on some of the university's safety initiatives and progress being made. Read more

New support office established; independent review to begin
April 17, 2023

Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. announced the establishment of the Office for Resource and Support Coordination to coordinate the university's continued response and supportive resources following the Feb. 13 violence on campus. The university also has selected Security Risk Management Consultants to lead an independent after-action review of the events of that evening. Read more

Update on Berkey Hall and the MSU Union
March 29, 2023

Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko and Senior Vice President for Student Life and Engagement Vennie Gore shared a message with the campus community regarding the reopening of the MSU Union planned for April 3 and the status of Berkey Hall for the fall 2023 semester. Read more

Return from break updates
March 10, 2023

Interim Provost Jeitschko shared a message with educators (faculty, academic staff, graduate assistants and advisors) about returning to campus after spring break, what to expect in the second half of the semester and resources for students and educators. Read more

Investigation updates regarding active violence incident on Feb. 13
March 10, 2023

MSU Department of Police and Public Safety provided an update to their investigation into the Feb. 13 campus shooting. Read more

Join a Community Connections Session
March 8, 2023

MSU HR provided support staff with an opportunity to hear from senior leaders and each other to discuss plans moving forward and provide input. Read more

New for Spring Semester: Credit-No Credit Grade Reporting Option
March 1, 2023

In an effort to support students this semester, revised Credit-No Credit (CR-NC) grade reporting options are being put in place for spring semester 2023 only. Read more

MSU takes actions to improve campus safety
March 1, 2023

University officials announce intent for external review of its response to the shooting. Read more

Memoriam items to be collected
Feb. 28, 2023

Due to harsh weather conditions and the deterioration of flowers and signs left in memoriam at the Rock, Spartan Statue, the MSU Union and Berkey Hall, items will be collected and processed on March 2. Flowers will be turned into mulch and used in the planting of a memorial tree. Other items will be preserved by MSU Archives and the MSU Museum. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to participate starting at 10 a.m.

Additional Resources for Spring 2023
Feb. 24, 2023

A message was sent to advisors about additional resources on the credit/no-credit option, a new Advising Resource page and a Trauma-Informed Response Training for Advisors webinar. Read more

Supervisor Toolkit: Transition to standard operations
Feb. 20, 2023

A toolkit to assist in the transition to standard operations was sent to supervisors. Read more

Reflection and Support
Feb. 20, 2023

The vice president and chief human resources officer sent a message to staff. Read more

Graduate Student Community Update
Feb, 19, 2023

The Office of the Provost and Graduate School sent a message to graduate students. Read more

6-Step Approach to Starting Class
Feb. 19, 2023

The Office of the Provost provided practical steps for faculty to integrate into their teaching this week. Read more

Moving Forward Together
Feb. 17, 2023

The Office of the Provost and Student Life and Engagement sent messages to students and faculty, academic staff and advisers.

Crisis resources for students and employees
Feb. 17, 2023

Uwill is offering three teletherapy drop-in sessions for students and employees.

• Friday, Feb. 17, 1-3 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Through a partnership with Uwill, students and employees receive free immediate access to teletherapy with a therapist of their choice. Students and employees can select a therapist based on their preferences, with day, night and weekend availability. Create a profile with your MSU Net ID to schedule a session.

Retrieving personal property
Feb. 17, 2023

MSU DPPS has all unclaimed personal items from Berkey Hall and the Union. Any students, faculty or staff who still need to retrieve property are asked to call 517-355-2222 to schedule an appointment for pick-up. 

Spartan community update
Feb. 16, 2023

Today, everyone is a Spartan. Read more

Building updates
Feb. 16, 2023

Berkey Hall will be closed for the rest of the semester. Classes are being reassigned to other locations. Students should expect to hear from their instructors about new locations for their class. It is unknown when the Union will reopen. Police are still conducting investigations at both locations. 

MSU community gathers for vigil on campus
A vigil was held at The Rock on MSU's campus on Feb. 15. Read more

Feb. 14, 2023

• 9:20 p.m.: Message from the interim president was sent to the MSU community.
• 8:30 p.m.: Property assistance information
  • Starting Wednesday, Feb. 15, the FBI’s Detroit Field Office and Victim Services Division will be assisting students, faculty, and staff to recover personal items.
  • Students or representatives of students who were in the MSU Union are welcome to meet FBI employees and victim specialists at the West entrance of the Union beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Faculty and staff who were in or have office space in the MSU Union are welcome to arrive at the West entrance beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb 15.
  • Students, faculty and staff who were at or have office space in Berkey Hall are welcome to meet FBI employees and victim specialists at the East entrance to Berkey Hall at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16.
  • Each person will be met by FBI victim specialists and special agents who will assist them beginning at check-in and continuing through retrieval of their belongings.
  • If possible, please bring a form of identification to the check in. We recognize that student IDs, driver’s licenses, and other typical forms of ID may still be inside the building. Please do the best you can. No one will be turned away without further assistance.
• 12:30 p.m.: Supportive resources for students, faculty and staff
  • MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services counselors are moving to Akers Hall, Brody Square and Shaw Hall private dining rooms to provide services.
  • Employee Assistance Program counseling is moving to the Akers Hall private dining room. Location information: Akers Hall (CAPS and EAP services) 908 Akers Road, East Lansing. Brody Square (CAPS services) 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. Shaw Hall (CAPS services) 591 N. Shaw Lane, East Lansing.
  • Community providers will remain at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing, with the WorkLife Office supporting. Families can come to the Hannah Center at 819 Abbot Road in East Lansing for support until 9 p.m.
• Noon: Message was sent from Board of Trustees.
• 8 a.m.: Modified operations and canceled classes
  • As a result of the Feb. 13 shooting on campus, MSU has moved into modified operations through Wednesday, Feb. 15. The university will resume normal operations Thursday, Feb. 16. All classes – online and in person – have been canceled through Friday, Feb. 17 and will resume Monday, Feb. 20.
  • MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services and the Employee Assistance Program are partnering with local providers to offer counseling to students, faculty, staff and MSU family members in need from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Hannah Community Center located at 819 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. CATA is running a small bus, with the header signage reading "SHUTTLE," that will transport individuals from the Shaw Ramp (MSU/CATA Transportation Center) to the Hannah Community Center, and back.
  • Message from interim president was sent to faculty and academic staff.
• 2:30 a.m.: Message was sent from Board of Trustees.
• 1:50 a.m.: The interim president and chief of police sent messages to students and all employees.
• 12:27 a.m.: Shelter-in-place order lifted 
  • MSU Police has announced there is no longer a threat to campus. A suspect has been located and is deceased. Individuals who are on campus and in surrounding areas no longer need to shelter in place. All classes – virtual and in-person – are canceled, as are athletic events and all other campus activities for at least 48 hours. Supervisors will be notifying designated essential employees if they should report to campus tomorrow. More information will be provided to employees soon. Counseling and Psychiatric Services and the Employee Assistance Program will be making programming and services available in the coming days. Stay tuned for further information.
• 12:05 a.m.: Shelter-in-place order update
  • MSU Police and Public Safety are doing everything they can to assure the safety of our campus. Those on campus are urged to continue sheltering in place. All campus activities, including classes, have been suspended for the next 48 hours.  Unless otherwise directed by your supervisor, employees should not come to campus for the next 48 hours. For families of MSU students, PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS AT THIS TIME. We will contact you with more information about when you can come to campus.
  • Please follow @msupolice on Twitter for all updates.

Feb. 13, 2023

• 8:30 p.m.: Shelter-in-place order
  • Shots have been fired at Michigan State University and police are warning of an active shooter. This is an active and ongoing situation. The incident occurred at 8:18 p.m. inside Berkey Hall. Police are actively working to secure campus. Suspect is still at large and believed to be on foot.
  • All persons on campus and in neighboring community should immediately shelter in place and secure the room they are in.
  • All classes, sporting events and other organized university activities are canceled for the next 48 hours.

View the news briefings held by MSU leaders and the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety.