As part of our continued efforts to strengthen the university's policies, revisions of three of MSU's civil rights policies were implemented in fall 2025 to better serve our community. For more information on these and the other civil rights policies managed by OCR, visit our Policies webpage.
The Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence, Sexual Misconduct and Stalking Policy has been updated to reflect the shifts made in the RVSM/TIX Policy.
Clarifying updates were made to the Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy:
In a move that sets a new standard for transparency and accountability in higher education civil rights, Michigan State University has unveiled its first-ever Office for Civil Rights Data Dashboard. This public-facing tool provides customizable graphics through which users can gain insights into how the university responds to reports of discrimination and harassment, provides accessibility services and initiatives, and measures participation in prevention and education efforts.
Now and always, your Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance, or OCR, is committed to and responsible for ensuring that the university’s programs and activities are accessible and free of discrimination, which includes countering identity-based harm such as Anti-Blackness, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia/Arabophobia.
In the face of this uncertainty, your Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance has been closely monitoring any developments to determine how we can better serve you — our community — in advancing civil rights.
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.
Our team in the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance, or OCR, has been working tirelessly with campus partners to ensure MSU is in compliance with the new Title IX regulations that were released April 19 and take effect Aug. 1.
This summer, the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR) is focused on the implementation of the new Title IX Regulations, effective August 1, 2024. These regulations have an expanded scope and apply throughout the University, including your areas of responsibility.
Today the U.S. Department of Education released its new Final Rule, or regulations, under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations have an effective date of August 1, 2024.
We are pleased to announce that the highly anticipated revised Anti-Discrimination Policy, or ADP, will take effect May 1.
As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am reminded of the critical importance of fostering safe and supportive environments within our community.
We remain committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Michigan State University’s civil rights policies reinforce this commitment by prohibiting discrimination, harassment and related retaliation as well as relationship violence, sexual misconduct and stalking (RVSM).
Today is my first day on the beautiful Michigan State University campus in the dual role as your new vice president of the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR) and Title IX coordinator. I am thrilled to be here!
A data security incident took place at a third-party vendor, Bricker & Eckler, which is the law firm affiliated with INCompliance. INCompliance has served as both external investigators and external resolution officers for MSU on matters related to the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) Policy and Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP). A small percentage of the MSU community were impacted and the university continues to work with Bricker & Eckler to monitor the situation.
Deb Martinez is Deputy Director of the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE). She has a drastic and positive effect as a supervisor and a leader in the Office of Institutional Equity. Martinez is an asset to MSU, a role-model, and a passionate and developmental member of the OIE team.
Michigan State University put in place a new relationship violence and sexual misconduct (RVSM) and Title IX policy following new federal regulations that take effect today, Aug. 14.
About 10 years ago, Nicolas Royal came out to his father. They had some long and difficult conversations.
Flash forward to late 2019, when Royal got a nudge from his supervisor at MSU's Office for Institutional Equity. A youth detention center in Eaton County was looking for someone to train the staff on how to interact with queer and trans resident, and Royal had already done similar training at MSU.
MSU’s Associate Vice President of the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR) Tanya Jachimiak recently announced Tracy Leahy as the university’s new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator.
Three-time Emmy nominated actress, Emmy winning documentary film producer and prominent equal rights advocate Laverne Cox gave the keynote address for this year’s semi-annual It’s On Us week of action at Michigan State University.
Nikebia Brown-Joseph is a senior in the School of Social Work, minoring in women and gender studies and pursuing a certificate in nonprofit leadership. This year, she is part of the It’s On Us Week of Action planning committee representing the Association of Black Social Work Students where she currently serves as president.
Christian Perry is a senior majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing in the College of Arts and Letters. They serve as a peer educator with Prevention, Outreach and Education, or POE.
At Michigan State University, a variety of experts have been charged with the task of creating and refining programs to best address preventative measures and further educate the community at large.
More than 80 bar staff in the East Lansing area were introduced to a portion of “Active Barstander,” a new training pilot to teach sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention methods to those who work in the service industry.
Aislinn Sapp, MSU ADA Coordinator, is working across campus units to tear down barriers for students, faculty and staff with disabilities.
MSU Youth Camp leaders are fostering a safer environment through a special training with POE to prevent child abuse and effectively support participants who have experienced trauma.
The Sexual Assault Program (SAP) at Michigan State University recently hosted the 11th Annual Teal Ribbon awards, honoring faculty member Rebecca Campbell and the MSU Museum for their leadership and commitment to creating awareness around sexual violence in the campus community.
MSU's Safe Place is a free on-campus shelter that provides support services and counseling to survivors of relationship violence and stalking. It was the first of its kind when it was founded 25 years ago.
Michigan State University students, faculty and community partners will participate in several empowering and educational events during the "It’s On Us" Week of Action Oct. 21-27.
Michigan State this fall initiated its "Know More" campaign to promote awareness of the resources available to those in the campus community who are affected by sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking.
Rob Kent will be the interim associate vice president of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance. Kent replaces Jessica Norris who accepted a new job outside of Michigan.