Letter to campus: MSU OCR supports civil rights for all Spartans

September 12, 2025

Dear Spartans,

Welcome to the start of a new academic year! This is an important and exciting time for Spartans to embark on an exceptional educational or work experience. At the same time, it also can be a challenging time for many.

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. Whatever your circumstances—whether you are new or returning, on- or off-campus, a student or employee or both—our team is here to serve you and all Spartans through the university’s civil rights policies and related services. We will help you understand your rights and responsibilities, listen to your experiences, and make sure you have the support you need. Here are some more specific examples of how our team can support you:

• Coordinate supportive measures for people who have experienced relationship violence, sexual misconduct or other prohibited conduct
• Coordinate modifications for students due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, childbirth, or parenting.
• Conduct investigations of potential violations of the university’s civil rights policies.
• Provide information, training and consultation.
• Provide digital accessibility tools and expertise.

Your rights at MSU

Every fall, we share MSU’s Notice of Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation — a reminder of the protections that apply to every member of our community. These rights are not just legal requirements; they are a reflection of our shared values and university community expectations.

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, 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. MSU independently investigates allegations of retaliation and will take responsive actions if retaliation occurs.

Any university community member who believes they have experienced discrimination, harassment, or other conduct prohibited by MSU’s civil rights policies is encouraged to report the incident(s) to MSU OCR’s Investigation, Support and Resolution Department, or ISR. The university will respond promptly by offering supportive measures, informing parties about the complaint and investigation processes, and taking reasonable care to prevent and promptly address discrimination or harassment.

OCR has primary responsibility for six university-wide civil rights policies that apply to all students and employees as well as others. We encourage you to explore these key policies and some accompanying resources:

• Anti-Discrimination Policy, process infographic, countering identity-based harm infographic, and understanding and reporting hostile environments infographic
• Digital Accessibility Policy
• Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy
• Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence, Sexual Misconduct and Stalking Policy and process infographic
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and Pregnancy-Related Conditions for Students and Employees Policy
• Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy and process infographic

Recent policy updates

Over the summer, OCR collaborated with partners from around the university to review and make some important policy updates designed to better serve our community. For instance:

• The Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy has been updated to include a few revised definitions and establish an Adaptable Resolution process — a voluntary option that allows individuals in certain cases to address concerns in ways that feel safer, more restorative and more tailored to their needs. Adaptable Resolution is about giving people more choice, more voice and more pathways toward resolution.
• Additionally, the Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence, Sexual Misconduct and Stalking Policy has been updated to reflect the shifts made in the RVSM/TIX Policy.
• Finally, clarifying updates were made to the Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy regarding the roles and responsibilities of students, faculty and staff during the disability accommodation process.

A more detailed explanation of these updates is on OCR’s website.

Our intent for these updates is to ensure compliance with the law, strengthen and clarify the content and make it easier to use the policies. As always, we welcome your feedback about how the policies are working.

How to reach us

You can reach us online, by phone or by visiting us in person. If you’re not sure whether something is a civil rights issue, I encourage you to reach out — we’ll figure it out together.

• Online: https://civilrights.msu.edu/file-a-report/index.html
• Email: ocr.isr@msu.edu
• Phone: 517-353-3922
• In-person: OCR’s Investigation, Support and Resolution Department, 408 W. Circle Drive, Olds Hall Room 5, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824

As MSU’s senior leader for civil rights as well as the Title IX and Title VI coordinator, I am responsible for the implementation of the university’s civil rights policies listed above and their grievance procedures, monitoring the campus climate, and coordinating compliance with these efforts across the university. My contact information is:

Laura Rugless, J.D.
408 W. Circle Drive, Olds Hall Suite 105
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-353-3922
OCR.LauraRugless@msu.edu

MSU’s ADA and Section 504 coordinator facilitates the university’s compliance with the Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Digital Accessibility Policy as well as related legal requirements. The ADA and Section 504 coordinator consults with colleges, departments, units, students, employees and others regarding access concerns, reviews employee and student appeals, and provides training and information on disability and accessibility compliance. The ADA and Section 504 coordinator’s contact information is:

Tracy Leahy
408 W. Circle Dr., Suite 105, Olds Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-355-3960
ADACoordinator@msu.edu

MSU is strongest when every Spartan feels safe, respected and empowered. Toward that end, please be aware of these confidential and other resources available to anyone in the MSU community.

Thank you for your partnership as we continue advancing civil rights together.

With Spartan spirit,

Laura

Laura Rugless (she/her)
Vice President and Title IX and Title VI Coordinator
Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance