On Feb. 13, 2023, there was a shooting on Michigan State University's East Lansing campus, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries. Here, you will find resources for the MSU community, as well as up-to-date information on MSU's response.
The latest communications regarding MSU's response and safety and security enhancements are available below.
September 5
MSU's Department of Police and Public Safety shared a news release with local media outlets regarding the test of MSU's campus emergency alert notifications Sept. 6 at 10 a.m.
August 25
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.
August 1
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. She also provided an update on a campus memorial to honor and remember those that were lost and who have been affected by the tragedy.
July 13
Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch announced there will be a test of the campus alert notification system July 14, 2023 at 10 a.m.
June 9
University shared information on distribution of Spartan Strong funds.
June 7
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.
April 28
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.
April 17
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.
Feb. 28
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.
10 a.m., Feb. 24
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 at 1 p.m., March 3.
11 a.m., Feb. 23
The Office of Provost shared additional information about the credit/no-credit option for spring semester.
8 a.m., Feb. 22
Due to the inclement weather expected today and tonight, supportive resources at the Hannah Community Center, therapy dogs and in-person community counselors have been cancelled for Feb. 22 and 23. All virtual counseling options remain available along with standard operations at the Olin Health Center and Counseling and Psychiatric Services.
2 p.m., Feb. 20
A toolkit to assist in the transition to standard operations was sent to supervisors.
10 a.m., Feb. 20
Message from the vice president and chief human resources officer went to staff.
3 p.m., Feb. 19
Message from the Office of the Provost and Graduate School went to graduate students. The Office of the Provost shared a 6-Step Approach to Starting Class.
1 p.m., Feb. 19
MSU leaders addressed the media.
10 a.m., Feb. 18
Psychiatric resources for students, faculty and staff
MSU Health Care Psychiatry provided counseling services in coordination with Counseling and Psychiatric Services, the Employee Assistance Program, Worklife Office and the Center for Survivors.
8 p.m., Feb. 17
The Office of the Provost and Student Life and Engagement sent messages to students and faculty, academic staff and advisers. MSU is offering a credit/no credit grade reporting option for all 100- to 400-level undergraduate courses for spring semester 2023. Students will have the entire semester to make that selection.With the number of media representatives on campus, “No Media Please” cards will be available at Spartan Sunday and at welcome desks in buildings.
1 p.m., Feb. 17
Crisis resources for students and employees
Uwill is offering three teletherapy drop-in sessions for students and employees.
A Support Webinar will be available for students, faculty, and staff on Friday, Feb. 17 at 3 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.
8 a.m., Feb. 17
Retrieving personal property
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.
3 p.m., Feb 16
Message from the interim president was sent to the MSU community.
10 a.m., Feb 16
Building updates
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.
7:30 p.m., Feb. 15
A vigil was held at The Rock on MSU's campus. The recording can be viewed here.
9:20 p.m., Feb 14
Message from the interim president was sent to the MSU community.
8:30 p.m., Feb. 14
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., Feb. 14
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.
More information about counseling services is available on the Counseling and Psychiatric Services website.
Noon, Feb. 14
Message was sent from Board of Trustees.
8 a.m., Feb. 14
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.
Message from interim president was sent to faculty and academic staff.
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.
For more information on counseling services available to our MSU community at caps.msu.edu/emergency/feb2023crisisresponse.
2:30 a.m., Feb. 14
Message was sent from Board of Trustees.
1:50 a.m., Feb. 14
Message from interim president and chief of police was sent to students.
Message from interim president and chief of police was sent to staff and faculty.
12:27 a.m., Feb. 14
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., Feb. 14
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.
8:30 p.m. Feb. 13
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.
The latest information regarding available resources for students can be found on the Counseling and Psychiatric Services website.
Additional services:
Counseling and Psychiatric Services also has a guide for families to help support their student. In addition, a recording of the webinar on responding to tragic events at MSU can be found here.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services has webpage dedicated to supporting employees.
The Spartan Resilience Training Program offered several Reflect and Connect Sessions throughout February for MSU faculty, staff and graduate students. Teams interested in additional sessions can request them by emailing uhw@msu.edu
Additional services:
Resources for teaching after a crisis are available on #iteachmsu playlist. The Office of the Provost developed a 6-Step Approach to Starting Class.
A recording of the webinar Rebuilding Hope: Teaching in the Aftermath, presented by Alyssa Hadley Dunn, is now available. Dunn was joined by Chris Rozman from MSU Police who spoke about campus safety.
A recording of the Trauma Informed Response training for advisors that took place on March 3 is available to watch.
MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., announced on Aug. 1, 2023 that there will be no classes held on Feb. 13, 2024, in observance of the one-year anniversary of the campus shooting.
For most students, this means classes will not be held, assignments will not be due on this day, and exams will not be held. Classes will meet again on Feb. 14, but assignments and exams will not be due on this date either. The university will remain open to support the needs of our students, including dining halls, mental health support services, recreational sports facilities and CATA transportation services.
There may be some instances in which classes for graduate and professional students may need to be held for accreditation and degree requirements, and students will hear from their respective colleges regarding those limited instances.
Most buildings on the East Lansing campus now require key card access by current students, faculty or staff members between the hours of 6 p.m. through 7:30 a.m. each day. Accommodations will be made for public events that take place on campus.
The university also will begin outfitting 1,300 classrooms on campus with an appropriate lock system that allows instructors to secure classrooms while maintaining building and fire code compliance and allowing first responders to enter the spaces in the event of an emergency. University leaders identified the fall 2023 semester as the goal to have this measure in place. Other doors outside of classroom settings also may be considered for additional safety measures.
MSU will expand its camera network of more than 2,000 to include additional cameras throughout campus, including academic buildings and Green Light phones already on campus, to provide adequate monitoring coverage. Simultaneously, MSU Police and Public Safety is proceeding with its project to centralize the oversight of all cameras and security systems.
While the university has voluntary active violence training available through MSU Police and Public Safety, it will begin requiring all students, faculty and staff to complete active violence intruder training starting this fall.
If you tap your ID card on a door card reader and the door fails to unlock, the ID card is either failing or access to that particular building has not been authorized for the ID card.
Test the ID card to determine what happens if the ID card is tapped on the door card reader:
When tapped, does the card reader fail to beep? If yes, then the ID card has a chip failure. A new ID card is required and must be acquired in person.
When tapped, does the card reader beep but the doors remain locked? This is an access control challenge and individuals should email DPPS.SecuritySvcs@msu.edu with information about the building they are trying to access. Emails are typically responded to by the next business day.
When students enroll at MSU, their MSU email is automatically added to the university’s emergency alert system. Employees’ email addresses and office phone numbers also are automatically added. To receive alert notifications on a cell phone, students and employees must update their contact information at alert.msu.edu. Parents, families and the community can sign up by texting MSUALERT to 888777. MSU sends out a test alert the first few weeks of each semester.
All students, faculty and staff will be required to complete active violence intruder training online. Like the existing courses on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the course will consist of informational modules. The modules will focus on the "Avoid, Barricade, Confront," or ABC, method when dealing with an active shooter situation. Additionally, the modules will inform students, faculty and staff on how to use the new door locks that have been installed on hundreds of campus classroom doors over the summer.
Berkey Hall will reopen for the fall 2023 semester to faculty, academic and support staff and graduate students who hold office space in the building. Classes will not be held in the building for the fall semester.