Michigan State University

PA Medicine
Physician Assistant Program College of Osteopathic Medicine

Facilities, Student Safety and Security

Building Safety and Security, East Lansing

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with safety and security for the East Lansing campus and during all clinical experiences. 

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.

SafeMSU App

Designed with input from students, faculty, and staff, the SafeMSU App provides access to valuable safety resources in Spartan’s hands. A key feature of the app is the virtual friend walk. This function allows Spartans to share their location with a friend in real-time so they can follow their progress to the destination. The friend also can contact police immediately if they feel there is a problem.  

 Other features include:

  • One-touch emergency calls 
  • Access to Safe Ride from the Associated Students of Michigan State University
  • Link to NightOwl from the Capital Area Transportation Authority 
  • Form to send tips to the police
  • Support resources

Our campus is a safer place when we all work together to advance a common, shared vision of what it means to be a community. This new initiative is a direct result of the partnership and collaboration between our department and the students, faculty, and staff which we serve. 

The app can now be downloaded through the Apple Store and Google Play.

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:

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

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
  • 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.

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:

Student Clinical Safety

Blooborne Pathogen Education

Students are required to complete training on Bloodborne pathogens. The module may be found on the MSU Online training system.

Exposure Prevention and Management

MSUCOM students who are on clinical experiences as part of the preclinical or clinical requirements will be expected to utilize appropriate clinical precautions and abide by applicable policies and procedures of the College and the clinical training site. 

Training and Prevention

  • Students will complete blood-borne pathogen (BBP) training. This will be tracked as a compliancy through the Office of Enrollment and Student Records. 
  • Students may be required to participate in respirator mask fit testing prior to certain rotations, per certain hospital/institution policies.  
  • Students will participate in orientation programs offered by their clinical site and will complete any required training and/or employee health and/or infection prevention protocols required by the site. 
  • Students will utilize universal precautions in all clinical settings. Students will use appropriate personal protective equipment and will abide by specific isolation or other precautions in place for specific patients and/or units in clinical settings. 

Exposures: Needlestick or sharps injury 

  • Immediately wash the area with soap and water.
  • If a sharps injury/needlestick occurs in a clinical teaching site, follow the local protocol for immediate evaluation and notify the clinical director within 24 hours.
  • If a sharps injury/needlestick occurs in an ambulatory or other setting in which a protocol is not available, the student should go the nearest emergency room without delay. 
  • Follow the clinical site protocol for immediate evaluation and notify the PA medicine clinical coordinator within 24 hours.
  • Complete the MSU Healthcare Professional Students Exposure Report. 

Exposures: Splashes

  • If a splash or fluid exposure occurs to the mouth, nose, mucous membranes, and/or non-intact skin, immediately rinse the area with water. 
  • If a splash or fluid exposure occurs to the eyes, immediately irrigate the eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigates. 
  • Follow the clinical site protocol for immediate evaluation and notify the PA medicine clinical coordinator within 24 hours.
  • Complete the MSU Healthcare Professional Students Exposure Report. 

Exposures: Respiratory pathogens, including tuberculosis

  • If a student is exposed to a patient who is known to have or is subsequently diagnosed with a respiratory pathogen, including tuberculosis, they should contact the site coordinator for information and instructions for evaluation.
  • Follow the clinical site protocol for immediate evaluation and notify the PA medicine clinical coordinator within 24 hours.
  • Complete the MSU Healthcare Professional Students Exposure Report. 
  • Students are expected to use appropriate procedures for respiratory isolation or precautions as posted. Students may need to have updated mask fit testing if the clinical site protocols so require. 

Research Laboratories

Students working in research laboratories on campus with potentially hazardous agents or materials should consult and abide by laboratory policies and procedures.
For further information about occupational exposures, treatment guidelines, and university reporting requirements, visit the MSU website.

Reporting and Resources

In addition, the MSU Office of the University Physician has additional reporting resources (https://uphys.msu.edu/resources/healthcare-professional-student-information-f). This information is for MSU health professions students who may have incurred an exposure. There is a 24-hour Hotline 1-877-STUCK50 or 1-877-788-2550

Financial Responsibility

MSUCOM PA Medicine Students are required to maintain an active health insurance policy throughout the program https://pa.com.msu.edu/current-students/program-policies/student-health-insurance-policy.  All exposure related incidents will be billed to the student's health insurance.

The Department PA Medicine faculty approved this student handbook and policies on March 16, 2020.
Revised and approved by the Faculty of the Department of PA Medicine on 3/19/2021, 3/15/2022, 4/18/2023.