We all play a role in keeping our community safe. If you see something suspicious, report that crime using the contact methods on this website; or by texting MSUDPPS to CRIMES (274637) along with your message. You can also call our tip line at 844-99-MSUPD (844-996-7873). Be sure to also review SafeMSU Emergency Preparedness Guidelines posted in classrooms and facility lobbies.
Evacuation
Evacuation maps are posted at key locations throughout facilities on campus. If an evacuation alarm sounds or if you are ordered to evacuate an area, please keep safety in mind. Move quickly to the nearest exit and move away from the hazard or danger.
There are also emergency classroom guidelines posted in classrooms throughout campus that identify accountability locations, weather shelter protocols, hazardous atmosphere shelter information, and suspicious package guidelines. Please familiarize yourself with exits at facilities you are frequently at.
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Run/Avoid, Hide/Barricade, Fight/Confront
If an active violence incident occurs, everyone must take primary responsibility for their own personal safety. You should stay aware of your surroundings and minimize and decrease distractions such as cell phones, ear buds, or other items that could reduce your recognition of an incident or threat.
If you receive an MSU Alert or hear the alert tones outside, inform others and take a moment to figure out what is happening. You should also know your options. It is important to mentally and physically rehearse what you would do during an active violence incident to avoid freezing. The Run, Hide, Fight or Avoid, Barricade, Confront models can help you respond.
Run/Avoid
The first thing you should consider doing if an active violence incident is taking place is run, if you can do so safely. If you are not in the immediate vicinity of danger, avoid the area and notify others to do the same. Those physically unable to leave quickly should find a safe location to hide. Remember, seconds matter. Do not grab your personal items or pull a fire alarm, which may cause undue panic and divert first responder resources to the wrong location. Call or text 911 once you are safely away from the danger.
Hide/Barricade
If you are unable to run or avoid the area, you should hide and barricade. Barricade the doors with any items you can find. Improvise in this situation: tie off doors, pile up chairs, tables, bookshelves, or whatever else is in the area. Anything can potentially be used to barricade. Remember to conceal your presence. Lock the doors, draw the blinds, and stay out of sight away from windows and doors.
Fight/Confront
If the suspect enters your area, it is very likely that you will need to defend yourself. A pre-determined survival mindset will help you react quickly, which could help overwhelm the suspect and stop the attack. Commit to your actions. Work with others and use improvised weapons. Anything, such as chairs, fire extinguishers, backpacks, laptops, and scissors, can all be used as a potential weapon.
Active Violence Incident Awareness training for MSU students, faculty, and staff is available on MSU's Ability Training platform. In addition, an Active Violence Incident Awareness training video is available for anyone to watch on MSU DPPS's YouTube channel.
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Seeking Shelter
Hazardous Materials Outside:
Hazardous Weather:
Sheltering from severe weather is typically thought of for a tornado; however, severe thunderstorms can produce extremely high winds, heavy rains and lightning that can be hazardous or even fatal if precautions are not taken. MSU building Emergency Action Plans have pre-identified Weather Shelter locations that are shaded in yellow on the building’s posted emergency maps.
If you cannot locate a posted map, seek shelter in an area that is as removed from windows as possible. Become familiar with those locations and be prepared to move to shelter if a weather warning is issued.
It's important to note that residence hall living wings are securely locked 24 hours a day, 7 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. More information can be found on the MSU Live On website.
For more information, visit the MSU SecureIT website.
MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities is continuing its work to install hundreds of new door locks for classrooms and teaching lab spaces across campus. These new locks allow those inside the classroom to lock the door while still allowing emergency personnel the ability to enter.
There are two main types of locks being installed across campus in classrooms and teaching labs:
1. Lockdown buttons: When a lockdown button is pushed, doors will electronically lock. Doors must be closed for the locking feature to work and emergency personnel will automatically be notified. With these locks, used mainly in larger auditorium-style classrooms with multiple entrances and exits, signage with directions is being posted next to the button.
2. Thumb-turn locks: Doors with handles that are locked by turning a "thumb-turn" on the inside of the door.
Regardless of lock type, those inside a classroom or teaching lab will always have the ability to leave the room. Faculty, students and staff should only lock their classrooms and teaching labs during an emergency presenting a threat of active violence. It is not required to keep doors closed and locked at all times.
Indoor Safety
Outdoor Safety
Travel Safety
For more information on winter weather safety, visit ready.gov/winter-ready.