After a fatal shooting on 13 February, Michigan State University (MSU) has announced several measures to increase campus safety and security.

“The actions we are outlining position us on a path to reclaim our sense of safety that was so violently taken away from our community,” said MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD. “These steps will provide more robust security on campus while better preparing our community to respond in these unfortunate situations.”

According to Michigan State, improvements will focus on four areas: building access, classroom and door locks, camera coverage expansion and mandatory training.

Effective 13 March, most buildings on the East Lansing campus will require key card access by current students, faculty or staff members from 6pm to 7:30am the next day. Accommodations at Michigan State will be made for public events that take place on campus.  

The university will also 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 may also be considered for additional safety measures.  

Michigan State 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. 

Acknowledging the university’s recent re-accreditation for emergency response, Michigan State Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Marlon Lynch noted that part of the emergency response process is an after-action evaluation through MSU Police and Public Safety’s Emergency Management Division. 

Additionally, MSU will soon request proposals for an external, third-party review of the university’s response. The third-party report will result in recommendations that will be made public.

“Our security portfolio is multifaceted and we’re constantly evaluating improvements and changes — seen and unseen — that strengthen safety on campus,” said Lynch. “The actions we’ve outlined, combined with internal and external reviews, position our university to be safer, more secure and better prepared into the future.”