Emergency Resources and Support Following Mass Shooting at Michigan State University


Dear Ithaca and AgriTech campus communities,

We are devastated by last night’s mass shooting at Michigan State University, which claimed the lives of three students and critically injured five others. We send our condolences to the Spartan community and ask that you keep them in your thoughts. We know the news of this tragedy will weigh heavily with all Cornellians – students, faculty, staff, families, alumni and more.

Please know that Cornell plans and prepares for emergencies. Now and always, we urge you to familiarize yourself with resources and key information.

Information sources during an emergency

In the case of any campus emergency, Cornell community members receive a CornellALERT via email and on the mobile phone number listed in their Cornell personal contact information. CornellALERTS are sent any time there is an imminent threat to the health or safety of the community. This could include a serious weather event, a report of explosive devices or any active threat such as a person with a weapon.

If you are unsure if you have signed up to receive text alerts, or have recently changed numbers, please follow the instructions at emergency.cornell.edu/alert. We also urge all members of our community to download Rave Guardian, a free mobile app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device.

We also urge you to bookmark emergency.cornell.edu and cornell.edu, and to follow Cornell’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. These are Cornell’s official information sources, where real-time information will be posted in any evolving situation.

Run. Hide. Fight.

Familiarize yourself with routes in and out of residential and academic spaces as preparation for a building evacuation or to shelter in place. Please review this Run-Hide-Fight instructional animation, which offers helpful definitions and guidance.

Please remember: Do not allow unauthorized people into secure facilities. Anyone who is meant to be in your space will have a key, card access or an individual signing them in. If you see or hear something concerning, contact the Cornell Public Safety Communications Center (607-255-1111), use the Rave Guardian app or call 911.

Additional Resources for Faculty, Students and Staff

  • We encourage everyone to review Cornell’s emergency resources and terms and to create a personal safety plan.

  • Cornell offers resources to help faculty and researchers prepare for potential academic disruptions.

  • Cornell Police has a dedicated team providing tailored crime prevention programs for student organizations, staff teams and academic departments. CUPD offers formal training on how to respond to an active threat or workplace violence, as well as informal “Ask a Cop” sessions. Contact a Cornell crime prevention officer to discuss your needs and book a session.

We understand that the Michigan State shooting, atop other national and global tragedies, can be difficult to process and understand. Some people may want to talk about their fears, others will work through feelings privately. If you or someone you know needs support, please access community support and mental health resources below.

The Division of Public Safety is committed to promoting a safe and secure environment for our entire campus community and has multiple teams available 24/7. Thank you for joining us in helping to create a safe and inclusive campus.

Sincerely,

Dave Honan
Associate Vice President, Public Safety

Anthony Bellamy
Chief, Cornell Police


Community Support Resources

Individuals can have a diverse range of feelings, needs and reactions when facing loss. This information about Grief and Loss (pdf) may be helpful to you or a friend. It can also be a helpful resource for faculty and instructors.

The Ithaca-based Crisisline is available at 607-272-1616. A wide range of supportive resources is also available at mentalhealth.cornell.edu. Students in need of professional mental health support can call Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 607-255-5155 and employees can call the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at 607-255-2673.