MSU to Upgrade Locks, Cameras, Emergency Notification, and More
The upgrades are being prompted by February’s active shooter incident that killed three MSU students.
UPDATE MAY 2, 2023: There is now more specific information on the upgrades Michigan State University (MSU) will be making in response to February’s active shooter attack.
The university will soon be installing thousands of locks on campus doors, with most of them to be installed before the start of the fall semester. Additional security cameras are also being installed, reports WKAR.
Other security upgrades include streamlining and centralizing the access control and video surveillance systems, which will be managed by the campus security operation center.
MSU will soon send push emergency alerts via local county emergency management to mobile phones on campus and in the area adjacent. Additionally, speakers are being installed for mass notification.
Active intruder training will also be introduced.
ORIGINAL FEBRUARY 27, 2023 ARTICLE:
Lansing, Michigan — Michigan State University (MSU) officials are asking for more funding for security from the state legislature in response to the February 13 mass shooting on campus that killed three students and seriously injured five others.
MSU Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar told Bridge Michigan that the university has increased the frequency of its security enhancement plans from one-year and five-year plans to six-month plans, which is an expensive change. However, it’s unclear how much money MSU is requesting from the state.
The enhancements that are being considered by MSU include classroom door locks, less time when academic buildings are unlocked, and more security cameras. Mandatory active shooter drills for staff and students are also being considered. Currently, these drills are voluntary.
Right now, an internal security assessment is being conducted, and an external review will be done at a later date.
The request for more security funding was prompted by the mass shooting that was carried out by a 43-year-old gunman who had no apparent connection to MSU. He entered Berkey Hall around 8:18 p.m. and started shooting, killing two people. Because officers were at Berkey Hall, the suspect left that building and went to the MSU Student Union and opened fire again, killing another person before fleeing the scene. The gunman took his own life a short while later.
Before the shooting, both buildings involved in the attack were open to the general public during business hours, and neither had a card access system in place.
The three students killed in the shooting have been identified as Arielle Anderson, 19, Brian Fraser, 20, and Alexandria Verner, 20.
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!