Jan. 16, 2025
Dear Spartans,
Welcome back! We hope your winter break gave you the space to rest, reconnect and recharge as we begin this new semester together. It’s always energizing to see campus come alive again, and we’re looking forward to the opportunities ahead. As we embrace these opportunities together, it is important that every Spartan feels safe, respected and valued.
While we navigate a time of change — both here at MSU and in the world — it’s natural for differences in perspectives to become apparent. These differences can challenge us, but they also offer opportunities to grow, learn and connect with one another. Universities, by their very nature, are places of inquiry and of discovery, both of which require us to be active and engaged proponents of civil discourse. Our varied perspectives and viewpoints are critical to our academic mission and the work we do to better our communities. This is why civil discourse — engaging in respectful, thoughtful dialogue even when we disagree — and civil rights protections are so important. Together they allow us to hold space for diverse voices, strengthen our shared understanding, and prevent tensions from creating hostile environments.
When incidents based on protected identity (e.g., color, disability, gender, race, etc.) occur, they can cause harm to people and our sense of community. While reported incidents will be addressed under the university’s civil rights policies and, when applicable, criminal laws, we also will work to prevent them from creating a hostile environment where unwelcome and severe or pervasive offensive conduct based on protected identity limits people from fully participating in the university’s programs and activities. To learn more about what a hostile environment is and how we can all help address it, we encourage you to review this infographic.
As we settle into this new semester and contemplate each of our roles in supporting civil discourse and preventing hostile environments, we want to remind you of our Notice of Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation.
MSU prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, color, disability status, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin (including shared ancestry and caste), political persuasion, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, military or veteran status and weight, or any other status protected by applicable law in its programs and activities. MSU also prohibits retaliation against those who report discrimination or harassment or who participate in the university’s investigation and handling of such reports. Title IX prohibits retaliation against reporters of sex discrimination, including reports of sex discrimination against administrators and other employees. MSU independently investigates allegations of retaliation and will take strong responsive actions if retaliation occurs.
Any university community member who believes they have been discriminated against or harassed are encouraged to report the incident(s) to MSU’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance. The university will respond promptly by offering supportive measures, informing parties about the available complaint and investigation processes, and taking reasonable care to prevent and promptly address discrimination or harassment.
We encourage you to explore the following key policies and some accompanying resources:
Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence, Sexual Misconduct and Stalking Policy(process infographic)
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Pregnancy-Related Conditions for Students and Employees Policy
Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy (process infographic)
If you or someone you know needs support or wishes to report a concern, here’s how you can connect with OCR’s Investigation, Support and Resolution Department:
Email: ocr.isr@msu.edu
Phone: 517-353-3922
In-Person: OCR, 408 W. Circle Drive, Room 5, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824
Confidential and other resources: supportmore.msu.edu
The strength of our community relies on on how we care for one another, even when conversations are difficult. By showing up with kindness, empathy and respect, we can contribute to a culture where every Spartan feels they belong and can thrive.
We’re looking forward to a meaningful and productive semester. Let’s make it a great one — together.
In Spartan spirit,
Thomas D. Jeitschko, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Laura Rugless
Vice President and Title IX Coordinator, Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance