November 13, 2020

Statement Regarding Nov 12 Public Safety Emergency

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) Police were alerted to a report of an SVSU employee threatening self-harm on Thursday, November 12. University Police contacted the individual on campus just before 8 p.m. SVSU immediately alerted the campus community.

University Police sought aid 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. No students were involved in the incident and no one else was injured.

“We grieve over this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual’s family,” said SVSU President Donald Bachand.

The Student Counseling Center is staffed to provide counseling services to students. Information is available here: https://www.svsu.edu/studentcounselingcenter/. Faculty and staff, as well as students, may receive counseling through SVSU’s Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-800-854-1446 or visiting unum.com/lifebalance.

This remains an ongoing investigation. SVSU would like to thank the Michigan State Police, the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office, Saginaw Police Department, Saginaw Township Police Department, and Carrollton Township Police Department for their assistance.

The SVSU campus is closed today (Friday, Nov. 13). We will provide additional information on campus operations later today.