Michigan State University - Safety & Security

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Michigan State University often gets a bad reputation as a “party college” because of its previous national exposure. There was mass rioting at MSU in 2005 and 2008 after basketball losses, although not all rioters were affiliated with the University. Students lit big fires in the streets and overturned cars. Since those unfortunate events, MSU has taken extreme precautions to tighten up its security measures on campus in general, especially during sports seasons. The University also created a policy after the riots that allow officials to punish students for crimes committed off campus.

With a campus of nearly 40,000 college students between the ages of 18–25, it can sometimes be difficult for MSU to manage its population. For the most part, however, students have grown tired of the media’s constant vigil of campus after games and have adopted a higher sense of respect for the police officers and University officials who work to maintain a safe environment for the MSU community. The campus is pretty well lit as it is and has emergency phones and cheap bus services available at night, and additional methods to increase the safety of students are constantly being worked on. Students who lock their doors and avoid walking alone at night rarely report problems.

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Students Speak Out

hodorekl says: Michigan State University 2017 Other

I like that there are lit-up poles... I like that there are lit-up poles in various places around campus so that if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, you can press the button on the pole and the police will come. It makes it more reassuring to walk around after dark if you have to. 12345 Safety & Security: October 23, 2008 Report

Anonymous says:

It’s pretty safe if you use common... It’s pretty safe if you use common sense, like avoiding going out in unlit areas by yourself. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

MSU has a fairly safe and secure... MSU has a fairly safe and secure campus, with emergency phones distributed throughout and well-lit walkways. However, robberies and assaults recently turned some heads and raised concern about local security. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

I personally feel safe and secure... I personally feel safe and secure on campus, but then again, I’m a six-foot-one guy so I don’t feel physically threatened that often. I lock my door if I’m away for any extended period of time, but that’s normal. I don’t know what kind of security force we have here, but we sure do give out lots of parking tickets so somebody’s out on the streets. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

There’s this program called ‘Night... There’s this program called ‘Night Call’ (or ‘Night Rider,’ something like that) where if you’re afraid to walk someplace at night and you’re by yourself, or it’s you and a friend, they’ll come and pick you up and take you where you need to go. It’s only from places that are on campus, though; you can’t go from off campus to on campus using it, or vice-versa. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Did You Know?

There are over 6,000 fire extinguishers on campus.

Lot Watch is a volunteer student service organization developed by the MSU Police to assist with crime and safety in the student parking areas. The volunteers work surveillance in parking areas looking for thefts, assaults, and other similar crimes.

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