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Crisis Response

Crisis Response

Last updated: 03/08/2023

Below please find a collection of advisor-specific resources related to the violence that took place on MSU's campus on Feb. 13.

Trauma-Informed Response Training for Advisors

March 3, 2023
Watch the recorded session now

This session was designed to provide guidance in incorporating trauma-informed responses in advising, strategies to address secondary trauma, and provide a space to discuss advising-specific questions and concerns.

Campus-wide Advising FAQs

Students should reach out to their professors to let them know that they will be missing a class or two because they are unable to return to campus immediately. Many professors will be able to accommodate those absences, but for some courses (because of the nature of the course) others will not.

 

For students who are unable to return to campus before spring break, they will need to request a grief absence. According to the Grief Absence Policy, this will give them excused absences from their classes for up to two weeks. Students who are not ready to return to campus at all, will need to request a medical withdrawal, which will allow them to drop any or all their classes.

Requests for Medical Leave are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. Requests for Return from Medical Leave are reviewed four times per year.

If a request for Medical Leave results in "supported with readiness to return required", the student will need to request a Return from Medical Leave and receive a "supported" outcome before being able to re-enroll at MSU.

Return from Medical Leave review deadlines, process summaries, and more details can be found on the Office of Student Support & Accountability’s website.


The university has resumed in person courses. Students seeking virtual accommodations should begin by asking their instructor what is possible and for what length of time. Some teaching modalities are not conducive to moving on-line long term.

If students are not ready to return and have a full in-person schedule they should be encouraged to file a grief absence. If after a grief absence a student is still not ready to return, the student can request a medical withdrawal. It’s important to note that filing for medical withdrawals is a lengthy process and, in this instance, may not be the right course of action for the student. Students should review details on late drops, adds and section changes as they work to determine a decision.

No, students should be encouraged to file a grief absence. If after a grief absence a student is still not ready to return, the student can request a medical withdrawal. It’s important to note that filing for medical withdrawals is a lengthy process and, in this instance, may not be the right course of action for the student. Students should review details on late drops, adds and section changes as they work to determine a decision.
No, the enrollment period will begin on March 13, 2023. University Advising is available to work with any college/advising team to help with outreach and advising programing that will help manage caseloads. Please contact greeneb1@msu.edu for more information.
The Course Repeat Policy allows undergraduate students to repeat any class up to twice (for a total of three attempts), regardless of the grade they earned in their previous attempt, and with a 20-credit limit on repeat credits.
Students may opt to repeat a course for a variety of reasons. This may include improving their mastery of the course materials so they can be more successful in future classes; to meeting university, college, or major requirements; to improve their GPAs; or to increase their competitiveness for entry into secondary-admission programs or post-graduate opportunities. A student should always check with academic advisors and financial aid advisors for input on repeating a course in their specific situation.

When a course is repeated, the most recent grade is always the grade that is counted, regardless of whether it is higher or lower than the previous grade.

All takings of the course will be reported on the transcript although only the most recent grade will be calculated into the GPA.


Yes, colleges will continue to advise their admitted undergraduate students. University Advising will serve any student who would like to discuss exploration options, who has general university questions, and/or who needs support in connecting with their academic college.

This challenge may call for building more robust transition strategies and creating physical parallel plans with students early on.

University Advising could eventually become a structured space to account for parked students and their ultimate goals. We initially need to identify the colleges that are interested in the process and create action plans for the students and a process for the transition, while also updating our policies to support the practice.

Transfer students could eventually be able to land in University Advising and then transition to their college of choice within a semester. We initially need to identify the colleges that are interested in the process and create action plans for the students and a process for the transition, while also updating our policies to support the practice.

Many future University Advising practices may not have much impact on smaller colleges, but for any that do, those colleges will be invited to take part in planning discussions through the working groups.

Crisis Resources

Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Tragic Event

As you take care of your health and wellbeing please keep the following in mind:

  • Take care of yourself. Fuel your body with food, get plenty of rest, and build physical activity into your day. Avoid alcohol and drugs because they can suppress your feelings rather than help you to manage and lessen your distress. Remember to give yourself time to experience your feelings – and please reach out for support, whenever you may need it.
  • Spartan Resilience webinar, is a special message from Lisa Laughman and provides support for members of the community in navigating the coming days. The Spartan Resilience Training Program is offering several Reflect and Connect sessions for MSU faculty, staff, and graduate students.
  • Practice mindfulness. Moments to recenter can be incredibly helpful. Learn about Virtual Calming Rooms with practices for self-care and stress management.
  • Talk about it. Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen to your concerns. Crisis Support Updates for students and employees are available on the Counseling & Psychiatric Services website.
  • Strive for balance. When tragedy occurs, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and have a negative or pessimistic outlook. Balance that viewpoint by reminding yourself of people and events that are meaningful and comforting, even encouraging.
  • Turn it off and take a break. You may want to keep informed, but try to limit the amount of news you take in. While getting the news informs you, being overexposed to it can increase your stress. The images can be very powerful in reawakening your feeling of distress.
  • Honor your feelings. Remember that grief is a long process. You may experience intense stress similar to the effects of a physical injury.

Playlist of Resources on #iteachmsu that will continue to grow. Though this is labeled for teaching, many of the resources are pertinent for a broader audience.

MSU DPPS has issued a new MSU Alert poster with Run. Hide. Fight guidelines.

Recent webinar and training videos:

Trauma Informed Response Training - Designed to provide guidance in incorporating trauma-informed responses in advising, strategies to address secondary trauma, and a space to discuss advising-specific questions and concerns. 

Responding to Tragic Events at MSU - Training provided by the MSU WorkLife Office, geared toward MSU Faculty and Staff.

Faculty and Staff Session with Dr. Jim Henry, Ph.D - Responding to the tragic events at MSU. Learning from Oxford school shootings. What you and your community need now.

Other WorkLife Office webinar recordings are online.

Academic

  • Messages to students and educators from the Provost are compiled on the Provost website.
  • Credit / No Credit: At the end of the semester, students in every undergraduate class will be able to choose, on a class-by-class basis, if they want their grade in that class recorded in the traditional numeric grading system (0.0-4.0) or as Credit/No Credit. If they choose Cred/No Credit, the course grade will not impact their semester GPA or their cumulative GPA. An FAQ and additional information/clarification is being compiled and will be available shortly. Students have until the end of the semester to make a decision.

Care and Safety

Recent webinars

Resources: