Reporting Suspected Criminal Activity and Misconduct
Michigan State University (MSU) is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for students, faculty, academic staff, support staff, and visitors. We encourage, and in some instances require, faculty and staff to report incidents of known or suspected criminal activity and misconduct. Please review the following information regarding reporting options and the University’s non-retaliation prohibition.
HOW TO REPORT
Crime or Emergency:
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Non-emergencies, crimes, or suspicious activity: Call the MSU Police Department (MSUPD) at (517) 355-2221
- MSUPD anonymous texting: Text the word MSUPD along with a tip to CRIMES (274637)
- MSUPD toll-free tip line: Call 844-99-MSUPD (844-99-67873)
Relationship Violence, Stalking, Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Violence:
Responsible Employees are required to promptly report relationship violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and sexual violence that they observe or learn about and that involves a member of the University community (faculty, staff, or student) or which occurred at a University-sponsored event or on University property. For more information, please visit: University Reporting Protocol.
To report sexual violence, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, and stalking:
- Contact the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE)
- Report online at: https://msu.publicincidentreporting.com/
- Call OIE at 353-3922 or email oie@msu.edu
AND
- Contact MSUPD
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Non-emergencies: Call MSUPD at (517) 355-2221
- MSUPD Anonymous texting: Text the word MSUPD along with a tip to CRIMES (274637)
- MSUPD toll-free tip line: Call 844-99-MSUPD (844-99-67873)
Harassment or Discrimination:
- Contact OIE
- Report online at: https://msu.publicincidentreporting.com/
- Call OIE at (517) 353-3922 or email oie@msu.edu
Child Abuse, Including Child Sexual Abuse:
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Mandated Reporters under Michigan Law: Professionals who are required by Michigan law to report suspected child abuse or neglect must make an immediate verbal report to Child Protective Services (CPS) at (855) 444-3911. Mandated reporters are also required to file a written report with CPS within 72 hours. Information about reporting abuse and neglect can be found under the Abuse & Neglect section of the Department of Human Services website at www.michigan.gov/dhs. After contacting CPS, notify MSUPD of the report.
- All other staff: Contact MSUPD immediately at (517) 355-2221
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- MSUPD will file a report with CPS.
- Allegations of sexual assault, including child sexual assault, related to a member of the university community (faculty, staff or student) must also be reported to OIE.
- For more information, or to determine if you are a mandatory reporter, please review: https://hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/university-wide/reporting_protocols.html
Behavioral Threat:
To report students, employees, or other individuals on campus who have engaged in behavior indicating a possible threat of harm to self or other members of the campus community:
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Non-emergencies: Submit a report to MSU’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Team via an online referral form, available at: http://btat.msu.edu/referral-form/
Ethical, Policy, Compliance Violations or Other Misconduct:
Including but not limited to athletics misconduct, conflicts of interest, discrimination and harassment, employment misconduct, fiscal misconduct, medical and HIPAA violations, privacy violations, research misconduct, retaliation, safety, or other area of concern not specifically listed.
- Submit an anonymous report online at: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/58826/index.html
- Call the anonymous (24/7) hotline: (800) 763-0764
- Report suspected misconduct by contacting a specific university office
- A list of offices and contact information is available at: https://misconduct.msu.edu/local-reporting/index.html
- Visit the Misconduct Hotline website at: https://misconduct.msu.edu/ for more information.
- The Misconduct Hotline does not replace the University Reporting Protocols regarding child abuse, sexual assault, child pornography, relationship violence, sexual violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation. While such issues may be referred to the Misconduct Hotline, employees are also required to follow the reporting protocols. Reporting protocols are available at: https://hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/university-wide/reporting_protocols.html.
Student Misconduct:
MSU faculty, academic staff, support staff, and students may file a formal complaint concerning the conduct of students whose behavior reportedly violated University policy:
- Submit a report online to the Dean of Students Office at: https://www.deanofstudents.msu.edu/student-conduct/request-for-services
- For an immediate consultation, contact the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR) Office and at (517) 884-0789
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
Office of the University Ombudsperson
Whether one is a student, faculty, staff or administrator, the Office of the University Ombudsperson, offers a confidential place to discuss academic concerns, administrative issues, workplace issues, or any concern that may relate to MSU students. It also interprets and explains university policies and procedures. Here, one can speak freely because the Office of the University Ombudsperson offers an environment where one can talk with a confidential, independent, impartial and informal resource about a complaint, conflict or concern. Members of the MSU community may contact the University Ombudsperson by e-mail (ombud@msu.edu), by phone (517-353-8830), or via the Problem/Concern Form found here: https://ombud.msu.edu/schedule-appointment-contact/problem-concern-form. Please visit: https://ombud.msu.edu/ for more information.
NON-RETALIATION
The University prohibits retaliation (including retaliatory harassment) against individuals who report or make good faith complaints of relationship violence, stalking, sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and other forms of misconduct (as specifically governed by individual University policies), or who participate in the University’s investigation and handling of such reports, even if the University finds that no violation of Policy occurred. In addition, the laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment contain anti-retaliation provisions (e.g., Title VII, Title IX and ELCRA). Specifically, Title IX prohibits retaliation against reporters of sex discrimination, including reports of sex discrimination against administrators and other employees. MSU will independently investigate alleged retaliation for participation in the Title IX process.
MSU also independently investigates allegations of other prohibited retaliation and will take strong responsive actions if retaliation occurs. MSU may implement interim protective measures during a retaliation investigation. Those found responsible for retaliation are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination for employees and dismissal for students.
For more information, please review the following policies and resources: