MSU survey shows improved campus climate, emphasizes need for efforts 

The results of Michigan State University’s 2025 Know More Campus Survey show improvements in campus perceptions, awareness of resources and declines in some forms of victimization since 2019, while finding that sexual harassment and assault continue to affect a significant portion of students, particularly undergraduate cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary students.

The Know More Campus Survey assesses the experiences of students, faculty and staff related to relationship violence and sexual misconduct, workplace incivility, help-seeking and perceptions of campus during the 2024–25 academic year. The 2019, 2022 and 2025 Know More surveys reflect MSU’s commitment to transparency and the use of valid data to measure progress and guide action.

The 2025 survey also marks the first time MSU measured experiences of domestic violence among faculty and staff, expanding the university’s understanding of how relationship violence affects employees in addition to students.

“We recognize that behind these findings are real people and real experiences, and any harm on our campus matters,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “These results show progress but, more importantly, they strengthen our resolve to prevent harm, support survivors with empathy, and continue building a campus where everyone feels safe, valued and supported.”

All MSU students, faculty and staff were invited to participate in the survey in spring 2025. More than 10,700 people completed the survey. To ensure anonymity, MSU partnered with RTI International, an independent nonprofit research organization, to develop and administer the survey, process the data and report the results.

The survey examined three primary areas: student experiences with relationship violence and sexual misconduct; faculty and staff experiences with workplace incivility, work-related sexual harassment and domestic violence; and perceptions of campus climate, leadership and awareness of resources among students, faculty and staff.

“The Know More survey provides critical insight into where MSU has made meaningful progress and where gaps remain,” said Carrie Moylan, co-chair of the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Expert Advisory Workgroup. “While any incidence of violence or harassment is unacceptable, these data help us understand the lived experiences of our community and guide evidence-based decisions to strengthen prevention efforts, supportive services and institutional accountability.”

Key findings

Results show declines in the prevalence of several types of victimization since 2019 and improvements in most measures of campus perceptions related to relationship violence and sexual misconduct. The survey also found that the vast majority of survivors who sought help from MSU perceived the support they received as helpful.

Sexual harassment remained the most prevalent form of victimization among students. Nearly two-thirds of undergraduate cisgender women and more than two-thirds of transgender and nonbinary undergraduates reported experiencing sexual harassment during the 2024–25 academic year.

Sexual assault was reported by about 6% of undergraduate cisgender women and 7.9% of transgender and nonbinary undergraduates during the academic year. These figures represent a decline from the 2022 survey, when 11.8% of undergraduate cisgender women and 10.6% of transgender and nonbinary undergraduates reported experiencing sexual assault.

Looking at longer-term experiences, about one in five undergraduate cisgender women reported experiencing sexual assault since enrolling at MSU, down from one in four in 2022 and nearly one in three in 2019, suggesting a sustained decrease over time.

“While we are encouraged to see declines in reported experiences, we also know that sexual harm is often underreported,” said Moylan. “Even at lower levels, these numbers remain deeply concerning and reinforce the importance of continuing prevention efforts and ensuring survivors have access to support and resources.”

Among faculty and staff, the majority experienced at least some workplace incivility, though the prevalence declined significantly since 2019. Sexual harassment among faculty and staff also declined, with the highest prevalence reported by transgender and nonbinary employees.

Using the data

The 2025 Know More survey coincides with the formal completion of MSU’s five-year Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Strategic Plan, a roadmap developed by the RVSM Expert Advisory Workgroup and launched in 2020. The survey serves as a clear indicator that the strategies outlined in the RVSM Strategic Plan have a meaningful impact, while also providing a strong foundation for the university’s next phase of work.

The survey results will be used to continue refining policies, prevention programming and survivor services, as well as to identify specific areas of campus climate and culture in need of improvement.

Michigan State University remains committed to fostering a campus culture free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and relationship violence and to ensuring all students, faculty and staff can fully participate in university life.