September 6, 2025
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS) will conduct a full system test of its campus alert notification system at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The test is part of the department’s standard semesterly testing of the mass notification system.
The mass notification system is used to provide emergency notifications and timely warnings to the Spartan community. The test will include text and email alerts, computer notifications, SafeMSU app notifications, MSU Green Light emergency phones and the outdoor siren system. Phone calls will not be made during the test, but will be utilized in the event of an actual emergency.
Audible tones will be heard from the outdoor sirens during the test. Upon hearing the tone in an emergency situation, community members are asked to check their mobile devices for additional instructions. You can listen to the tone on the MSU Alert website.
“Continuous testing of our alert systems is essential to maintaining a safe and informed campus community,” said Chief of Police and Executive Director of Public Safety Mike Yankowski. “By conducting these semesterly drills, we help ensure that our emergency communication tools are ready in the event of an actual emergency.”
Wireless Emergency Alerts, or WEA, also will be tested by Ingham County Emergency Management. To receive these alerts, individuals must be within the geofence Ingham County has created and have test alerts enabled on their mobile device. The geofence runs approximately north to south from Saginaw Street in East Lansing to the area of Mt. Hope Rd. near south campus and runs west to east from US-127 to the area of Hagadorn Rd. You can learn more about how to receive WEA tests on your mobile device here.
Prior to the test, we encourage students, faculty and staff to log in to alert.msu.edu to review and update your notification preferences. Students and employees also are encouraged to download the SafeMSU app and enable push notifications.
Those who need support or have questions regarding the MSU Alert system can submit feedback by completing this form.
MSU DPPS is committed to enabling a safe and welcoming MSU for all.
----
Contact:
Nadia Vizueta, Communications Manager,
Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety
VizuetaN@dpps.msu.edu
(517) 282-3711