A Shelter-in-Place notification may be issued during a severe weather event, a hazardous materials incident, or during an active threat to the campus.  The MSU Alert system will be used to issue the notice of a shelter-in-place. Instructions of immediate actions will be provided in the MSU Alert message. Below are basic instructions on actions to take during each situation. Remember, always use good judgment. There are exceptions to all guidance and prescribed directions.

 

Shelter in Place - Secure 

A Shelter in Place - Secure  notification will be issued when an active threat to the campus is possible. Active threats are human caused situations requiring immediate actions by law enforcement. Remember if an active shooter situation is occurring on campus,  MSU Alert communications will clearly relay the information of an active shooter and instructions to RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.

 

Immediate Emergency Actions 

1. Remain calm. Carefully and thoroughly read all instructions provided by the MSU Alert system. Share the message with others who may have not received the information. 

2. If instructed, lock doors, close blinds, and turn off lights. Assign others to help with the process. 

If your door DOES NOT LOCK, use items from the room to prevent entry or relocate to a space with a locking door if it is safe to do so. A chair or table can be used to jam shut doors which open inwards. If the door opens outwards, items such as a belt can be used to hold the door shut or items within the classroom can be moved in front of the door to deter entry.  

        chair used to jam handle on door        belt used to prevent entry to door         Barricade door with tables and chairs

 

3. Once the door and room occupants are secure, do not open or leave the space until instructed to do so by MSU Alert. 

4. Individuals may arrive at your secure location. Allowing someone to enter a secure location may endanger yourself and others. Use good judgment.  Consider the following to determine if it is safe to allow others to enter:

  • Can you see outside the door to determine someone is not lying in wait? Is it a trap?
  • If a description has been given of the subject during the MSU Alert, consider similarities such as age, race, clothing description, sex, height, weight, hair, and eye color.

If the decision is made to let an individual into the secured space, consider the following:

  • Have the person leave anything he or she is carrying (backpack, laptop, package, etc.) on the ground outside of the room.
  • Have the person lift up their shirt, coat, and/or jacket until the waistline is visible and rotate 360 degrees to see if they are concealing a weapon.

5. Updates will be provided by the MSU Alert system every 30 minutes. If the situation changes, communications will be provided by the MSU Alert system immediately. 

6. An "ALL CLEAR" message will be provided by the MSU Alert system when the situation has ended. Additional details regarding the incident will be provided by University Communications. 

 

Shelter in Place - Weather

A Shelter in Place - Weather  notification may be issued when a significant weather situation is expected to impact the campus. Weather situations may include extreme winds, large hail, tornadoes, or microbursts. 

 

Immediate Emergency Actions

1. Remain calm. Carefully and thoroughly read all instructions provided by the MSU Alert system. Share the message with others who may have not received the information. 

2. Seek shelter in an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Avoid doors, windows, and outside walls. Close blinds on windows and shut doors to prevent debris from entering your safe space. Assign others to help with this process. 

3. Crouch into a low position, covering your head with your hands. Remain in this position through the duration of the weather event. 

 weather sheltering position. on the ground with hands covering head.

4. Use good judgment.  If your location becomes compromised due to the event, leave the area  and seek refuge elsewhere. 

5. An "ALL CLEAR" message will be provided by the MSU Alert system when the situation has ended. Additional information will be provided by University Communications. 

 

Shelter in Place - HAZMAT 

A Shelter in Place - HAZMAT notification will be issued when a hazardous materials situation has occurred on campus or could affect the campus. Hazardous material releases are often accidental and may result from a transportation accident or laboratory work. All or portions of campus may be asked to Shelter in Place - HAZMAT during an incident of this nature. It is possible portions of the campus will also be asked to evacuate. 

 

Immediate Emergency Actions

1. Remain calm. Carefully and thoroughly read instructions provided by the MSU Alert system. Share the message with others who may have not received the information. 

2. If instructed by MSU Alert to remain in your facility, seek shelter in an interior room. Select a location with the least number of windows and doors. 

3. Shut and lock all windows. Shut exterior and interior doors. Assign others to help with this process. 

4. Many buildings ventilation systems are controlled by Facilities Services. If you are able to do so, begin closing vents within your room to prevent entry of outside air. Consider covering vents, windows, and doors with materials available in the room (garbage bags, tape, jackets), the goal is to prevent outside air from entering the space. 

Blocking off vent with plastic garbage bag.        door air flow blocked with jacket       

 5.  Updates will be provided by the MSU Alert system every 30 minutes. If the situation changes communications will be provided by the MSU Alert system immediately. 
 6. Remain in your space until directed to evacuate or until the situation has ended. 
 7. An "ALL CLEAR" message will be provided by the MSU Alert system when the situation has ended. Additional information will be provided by University Communications.