If you or someone you know needs support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
800-273-8255. Help is available 24 hours.
Saginaw Valley State University is closed Friday after police responded to a public safety emergency on campus Thursday night.
According to the university, police were alerted to a report of an SVSU employee threatening self-harm on Thursday. University Police contacted the individual on campus just before 8 p.m.
SVSU Alert: University Police are responding to an individual in distress who is isolated in Science West. The campus community is instructed to avoid the building until further notice.
— SVSU (@SVSU) November 13, 2020
SVSU says it immediately alerted the campus community. University Police sought help from other law enforcement agencies, and police negotiators spoke with the individual throughout the night. Despite those efforts, the employee died by suicide in the Science West building around 6:30 a.m., according to the university.
No students have been involved or injured in the incident.
Remote work and classes may continue, the university says, though staff and students are encouraged to check with their supervisors or instructors.
Residential students are asked to avoid the following areas of campus: Science West, Science East, Ryder Center, Pioneer Hall and Zahnow Library.
Marketplace at Doan and the C-Store will be open for campus dining, according to the university.
The Student Counseling Center is staffed to provide counseling services to students. That information is available here.
The investigation is ongoing.
