MSU Confronts Campus Sexual Assault Problem
Michigan State University’s Struggle with Sexual Violence and Campus Safety
This article documents campus sexual assault issues at Michigan State University in the early 2010s. The university’s handling of sexual misconduct would later become part of broader national conversations following the Larry Nassar scandal.
Michigan State University, one of the nation’s largest public universities with over 50,000 students, faced growing scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault cases on campus. Reports suggested that the university’s response to sexual violence was inadequate, leaving victims without proper support and perpetrators without accountability.
The Scope of the Problem
Sexual assault on college campuses is a nationwide crisis, and MSU was not immune. Like many large universities, MSU struggled with how to prevent sexual violence and properly adjudicate cases when they occurred.
Systemic Issues Identified
Critics and advocates identified several problems with MSU’s approach to campus sexual assault:
Areas of Concern
- Reporting Barriers: Victims faced bureaucratic obstacles when trying to report assaults
- Inadequate Investigation: Cases were often handled internally without proper training or resources
- Victim Support: Counseling and support services were insufficient for the size of the student body
- Accountability: Perpetrators often faced minimal consequences even when found responsible
- Title IX Compliance: Questions about whether the university met federal requirements
Student Advocacy
Students and advocacy groups pushed for reforms, demanding better protection and support:
Campus organizations worked to raise awareness through:
- Take Back the Night marches
- Sexual assault awareness programming
- Peer support networks
- Advocacy for policy changes
University Response
MSU administration made some efforts to address the crisis, though critics argued they were insufficient:
The Larger Context: Larry Nassar
Years later, MSU would face its most significant crisis when former university doctor Larry Nassar was convicted of sexually assaulting hundreds of patients, many of them student athletes:
The Nassar Scandal
In 2018, Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for decades of sexual abuse. The scandal revealed systemic failures at MSU, USA Gymnastics, and other institutions. Multiple survivors had reported Nassar to MSU officials over the years, but their complaints were dismissed or mishandled.
The Nassar case demonstrated that the institutional problems with sexual misconduct at MSU were deeper and more widespread than many realized.
Federal Oversight and Title IX
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, universities receiving federal funding must address sexual harassment and assault. Failures to do so can result in investigations and loss of funding.
Title IX Requirements
- Schools must have procedures for handling complaints
- Investigations must be prompt, thorough, and impartial
- Schools must take steps to prevent recurrence and address effects
- Retaliation against complainants is prohibited
- Schools must designate a Title IX coordinator
Reforms and Ongoing Challenges
Following the Nassar scandal and years of advocacy, MSU implemented significant reforms:
- Leadership Changes: New administrators brought fresh approaches to campus safety
- Enhanced Reporting: Multiple channels for reporting misconduct
- Training Requirements: Mandatory training for all employees and students
- Survivor Support: Expanded resources for assault survivors
- External Review: Independent oversight of university practices
Resources for Survivors
If You Need Help
MSU’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance handles reports of sexual misconduct. The Counseling and Psychiatric Services provides confidential support.
National Resources
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit RAINN.org.