Academic Programs Catalog

Jabbar R. Bennett, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

The Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion works to advance Michigan State University’s public land-grant mission and supports equal opportunity in admissions, recruitment, retention, advancement and organizational operations. In addition, the unit helps lead and coordinate a range of initiatives and programs that aim to build community across the institution through partnerships with senior executives, faculty, staff, students and alums, while promoting a culture of dignity, respect, empathy and accountability.  

For more information, visit www.inclusion.msu.edu; email inclusion@msu.edu; or call 1-517-353-4563.

Charles Cox, Research Integrity Officer

The Research Integrity Officer (RIO) is responsible for ensuring the MSU Procedures concerning Allegations of Misconduct in Research and Creative Activities are carried out in an unbiased, confidential, and professional manner. Research Misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or any other practice, that seriously deviates from practices commonly accepted in the discipline or in the academic and research communities generally in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research and creative activities. Misconduct does not include honest error or honest differences in the interpretation or judgment of data. Initial inquiries regarding potential research misconduct cases are held in strict confidence. The RIO is located at Wills House, 287 Delta Court, Room 106 and can be reached at 1-517-432-6698 or by e-mail at rio@msu.edu.  Visit www.rio.msu.edu for more information.

The MSU Alumni Office exists to foster a lifelong Spartan experience — starting the moment you become a student. We help Spartans stay connected, give back, and make a difference in their communities and around the world.

As a student, you have access to a range of programs and resources designed to build meaningful connections and prepare you for life after graduation. Through events, employment opportunities, and leadership development programs like the Homecoming Court and Sparty Mascot Program, we empower you to grow personally and professionally. You can give back through Spartan Days of Service, get involved with alumni clubs and affinity networks and take part in traditions that celebrate what it means to be a Spartan.

We’re here to help you build your Spartan story — on campus, in your community and wherever your journey takes you.

Learn more about how to get involved: alumni.msu.edu.

Laura Rugless, Vice President and Title IX and Title VI Coordinator 

The Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance, or OCR, serves as Michigan State University’s central civil rights compliance office. In this role, OCR is responsible for upholding a broad range of civil rights protections related to discrimination; harassment based on protected identity, retaliation, sexual and relationship misconduct; and accessibility. 

Through its four branches— ADA and Digital Accessibility; Investigation, Support, and Resolution, or ISR; Office of the Vice President (OVP)/Business and Compliance Services; and Prevention, Outreach, and Education, or POE—OCR plays a vital role in protecting individual rights and fostering an inclusive and respectful campus culture through the implementation of MSU’s civil rights policies:  

• Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP)  
• Digital Accessibility Policy  
• Disability and Reasonable Accommodation  
• Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence, Sexual Misconduct and Stalking
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and Pregnancy-Related Conditions for Students and Employees
• Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX (RVSMTIX) Policy  

• Educating and supporting all university community groups regarding how to prevent, identify, appropriately respond to, and report discrimination, harassment, relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking, and retaliation;   
• Conducting impartial, fair, and equitable investigations to ensure compliance with MSU’s Anti-Discrimination, Mandatory Reporting, and RVSM policies and provides supports to all individuals involved in the process; and  
• Leading the university’s efforts to maintain accessible programs, services and activities, and to remove barriers to access as set forth in the Disability.

Shannon Lynn Burton, University Ombudsperson

The University Ombudsperson is appointed by the President to provide an independent, neutral, informal, and confidential resource for all members of the MSU community. The Ombudsperson assists individuals in navigating concerns and resolving issues by listening, providing information, clarifying policies, identifying options, and facilitating informal resolutions when appropriate.

The Ombudsperson does not advocate for any individual or for the university but promotes fair treatment, process and outcomes. The Office of the University Ombudsperson is not a formal office of notice and does not conduct investigations or participate in formal grievance or disciplinary procedures. Communications with the Ombudsperson are off the record and are held in strict confidence to the extent permitted by law and university policy.

To carry out this role effectively, the Ombudsperson has broad access to university personnel, policies, and data necessary to understand patterns of concern and provide feedback to support systemic improvement. The Office also serves as a resource to students, faculty, administrators, and staff by clarifying university policies and offering guidance on effective conflict management.

Established in 1967 with the adoption of the Student Rights and Responsibilities at Michigan State University, the Office of the University Ombudsperson is one of the longest continuously operating university ombuds offices in the United States. For more information, visit http://ombud.msu.edu/, email ombud@msu.edu, or call 1-517-353-8830.