Metal Detectors to be Installed at MSU Football Stadium, Performing Arts Center and Other Buildings

BY ANNA LIZ NICHOLS, MICHIGAN ADVANCE

MICHIGAN—Michigan State University’s Spartan Stadium will have walk-through metal detectors at the entrances in time for the next game on Saturday, the East Lansing university announced Wednesday.

Although football fans won’t be initially asked to remove items from their pockets upon entry, security will check the attendees with a metal detection wand if the detector goes off. Fans are encouraged by the university to arrive early to games.

Metal detectors will also be placed in Munn Ice Arena in time for the men’s hockey team’s season’s start in October, as well as in the MSU Tennis Center in time for the women’s and men’s Tennis season, according to University Department of Police and Public Safety spokeswoman Dana Whyte.

In the coming weeks, the Wharton Center for Performing Arts on campus also will be getting metal detectors.

These changes follow the deadly shooting on MSU’s campus the night of Feb. 13 where a shooter killed three students and injured five others.

Other additions to campus safety include requiring key card access on many buildings on campus from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and new locks on hundreds of classrooms on campus. The university said in March it would add more than 2,000 cameras to campus security, among other additions.

“We are committed to continuing to enhance our safety and security portfolio at Michigan State University,” said Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch. “This new addition to Spartan Stadium will continue to make sure the venue remains safe for all to enjoy.”

This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.