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)

Relationship Violence, Stalking, Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Violence

All faculty, staff, academic staff, students (including graduate students and professional students) volunteers, and other members of the MSU community are expected to comply with the provisions in this Policy. This Policy:

  • Defines relationship violence (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment and sexual assault), stalking, and retaliation prohibited by the University and Title IX. (Section III).
  • Provides contact information for confidential and other resources available to all individuals. (Section V).
  • Explains equitable supportive measures that may be offered to all parties. (Section X).
  • Explains the process for responding to and addressing reports and formal complaints of prohibited conduct, including retaliation. (Section XII).
  • Sets expectations for University faculty, staff, and academic staff on reporting conduct. (Section VI).

This Policy provides a fair process whether or not reported conduct is specifically prohibited or covered by Title IX and highlights divergences in coverage, definitions of prohibited conduct, and procedures. Additionally, specific Title IX definitions of prohibited conduct are set forth in text boxes.

Discrimination that does not also involve harassment based upon sex (actual or perceived), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual identity will be reviewed under the University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Reports (verbal, in-person, in-writing, electronic, or other means) of conduct prohibited by this Policy are reviewed by the University’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR) under the direction of the Title IX Coordinator.

To report sexual violence, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, and stalking:

  1. Reach out to a confidential resource (listed below) to learn about options

2.  Report to local police or the Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety (MSU DPPS); and/or

3.  Report to the Title IX Coordinator through the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

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 OCR.
  • For more information, or to determine if you are a mandatory reporter, please review: https://u.policies.msu.edu/doctract/documentportal/08DB621359BE06F4E1CE7A4566DE1C4D

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 Care and Intervention Team via an online referral form, available at: https://ossa.msu.edu/report

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.

  1. Submit an anonymous report online at: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/58826/index.html
  2. Call the anonymous (24/7) hotline: (800) 763-0764
  3. Report suspected misconduct by contacting a specific university office.
  4. A list of offices and contact information is available at: https://misconduct.msu.edu/local-reporting/index.html
  5. Visit the Misconduct Hotline website at: https://misconduct.msu.edu/ for more information.
  6. 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://u.policies.msu.edu/doctract/documentportal?c=08DB56E3640E6F346D0D4470A2F95313 

Student Clinical Safety

Bloodborne 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 pre-clinical 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 the COM Registrar. 
  • 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. 

Reporting and Resources

In addition, the MSU Office of the University Physician has additional resources and guidelines. (https://uphys.msu.edu/policies-and-guidelines). This information is for MSU health professions students who may have incurred an exposure. You may report here or call the 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.