Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance

At Michigan State University, the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance, or OCR, advances civil rights through a multidisciplinary approach that includes policies and processes, incident response and resolution, prevention and education, data collection and analysis, and building culture and community. Our work is grounded in the belief that every member of the MSU community deserves to feel safe, valued, and empowered.

• Equipping the community with the knowledge and tools to prevent, recognize, and report all forms of discrimination and harassment.
• Responding to complaints of discrimination, harassment, and gender-based violence with fairness, equity, and care — whether through formal or informal processes, we aim for just resolutions that prioritize the well-being of those involved.
• Removing barriers that prevent full participation in MSU’s programs, services, and activities, and using insights from our work to strengthen prevention and education efforts.
• Connecting individuals with support resources — both on campus and in the broader community — to ensure they're not navigating these challenges alone.

OCR has released its 2025-26 Annual Update highlighting the work and priorities of the office throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. This update also accompanies an expanded OCR Data Dashboard which now includes data from the most recent academic year as well as additional information on supportive measures, appeals, and participation in optional prevention and outreach programs. These are driven by OCR’s Strategic Framework, introduced in early 2025, to strengthen the office’s capacity, improve campus culture and safety through collaborative prevention and response, and expand MSU’s engagement around civil rights.

As required by state and federal antidiscrimination laws, and underscored by MSU's Anti-Discrimination Policy, MSU may not restrict or grant preferential treatment to any individual or group based on certain legally protected identities: race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender), color, ethnicity, religion, and national origin.

Review and follow the Office of General Counsel’s, or OGC's, guidance on MSU’s “Open to All” Nondiscrimination Requirement to learn more about how this applies to MSU programs, scholarships, and awards. More information can also be found under Diversity Initiatives / Prop 2 on the OGC website.