Safety First

Plan Ahead: Temporary Campus Road Closures for Inspire the Roar 5K

by

Missouri State University Campus Recreation will host the Inspire the Roar 5K on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as part of Family Weekend. The run/walk starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Foster Recreation Center and follows a scenic campus route.

To safely accommodate runners and walkers, some campus roads will be temporarily closed between approximately 7:45 and 9:00 a.m. Closures will be managed throughout the event. Each impacted roadway will reopen as soon as that portion of the course is clear, and not all roads will remain closed for the entire window.

Drivers traveling to or through campus Sunday morning should allow extra time and use alternate routes when necessary. Event staff will be stationed along the course to manage traffic and reopen roads as participants pass.

Parking Lots 3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, and 54 will experience periodic delays with ingress and egress during the event. Drivers using these lots should plan additional time when entering or leaving.

We appreciate the campus community’s patience and cooperation as we provide a safe course for Inspire the Roar 5K participants. Thank you for helping make this Family Weekend event a safe and successful experience for the Missouri State community.

Event details:

  • Date/time: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
  • Start/finish: Foster Recreation Center
  • Expected road impacts: approximately 7:45–9:00 a.m.
  • Parking Lots 3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, and 54: periodic delays entering and exiting
  • More information: www.missouristate.edu/Recreation/5k.htm

Campus Safety Move-In and Heat Advisory

by

Please be advised: Due to Campus Safety personnel assisting families and students with move-in activities, response times for non-emergency calls may be longer than usual.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as our team works to support a safe and successful move-in experience for everyone on campus.

For emergencies, please continue to use the Bear Shield app, or the appropriate emergency contact numbers for our Campus Safety Dispatch of 417-836-5509 or 911. For non-emergency matters, we appreciate your patience while Campus Safety responds as quickly as possible.

We also encourage everyone to take extra precautions during the next few days of excessive heat. Please:

  • Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas.
  • Avoid prolonged exposure to the heat, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and use sunscreen.
  • Check on friends, family members, and others who may be especially vulnerable to extreme heat.
  • Be alert for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and seek medical assistance if needed.

 Please take care of yourself and one another as we navigate these hot conditions together.

Missouri State Alert Fall Semester Test

by

Test Alert

The Fall semester test is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, at 10:50 a.m.

Missouri State Alert

A notification system that Missouri State University uses to keep our campus community safer and better informed during critical situations.

Enhanced communication

The system sends targeted messages to specific groups within our university community, delivering more relevant information for weather alerts, security threats, campus closures, and other critical incidents.

How it works

The system automatically determines communication methods based on university protocols—you cannot select your preferred method. You can update contact details in My Missouri State.

To officially update contact information

  1. Access the “Personal Information” card on your My Missouri State portal
  2. Legal name changes require you to take additional steps

Recognizing official alerts

Add these to your contacts to prevent alerts from going to spam.  All legitimate alerts come from these designated sources:

  1. Phone messages:
    1. Standard text alerts:
      • 58843
    2. Non-emergency:
      • 417-510-4744
    3. Emergency:
      • 866-318-1306
      • 855-692-1591
      • 844-866-4014
      • 833-330-2158
    4. Email:

Additional Information

As part of our ongoing commitment, download the free safety app, Bear Shield, that has additional safety features.

Participation of the mass notification system is mandatory—no opt-out options ensure every community member receives critical safety information when it matters most.

More frequently asked questions about Missouri State Alert can be found on the University Safety website.

Take note of Hot Rod Power Tour parking, traffic changes

by

Missouri State University will host day 4 of the Hot Rod Power Tour on June 11. The event is expected to bring a large number of participant vehicles and visitors to campus throughout the day.

Campus will remain open, and university operations will continue. However, parking and traffic patterns will be affected, especially in and around designated event areas.

What to expect

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with setup, arrival and departure activity expected before and after the public event hours. Participant vehicles will arrive throughout the morning, and heavier traffic is expected after 5 p.m. as vehicles leave campus.

There will also be increased pedestrian activity in event areas.

Parking changes

Several campus lots will be used for the event. Faculty, staff and students who normally park in affected lots should plan ahead and use available commuter parking.

Primary commuter parking for June 11 will be available in:

  • Bear Park North
  • Bear Park South

A second Silver Route Bear Line shuttle will run that day to help transport faculty, staff and students to and from the garages.

The following lots are being held for Residence Life and SOAR:

  • Lots 3, 9, 21, 27, 27A, 30 and 33

The Welcome Center lot, Lot 14 and the Bookstore/Magers lots will remain open and will not be used by the tour. Patient-designated spaces for Mercy Clinic/Kampeter will not be affected.

Traffic changes

Traffic patterns on campus will also change during the day. Elm, Cherry, Harrison and Monroe streets will all be restricted to westbound traffic only.

Campus operations

Public-facing offices should remain available because a SOAR session is scheduled that day. Some offices may choose to have some or all of their staff work remotely, depending on their operations and service needs. Those decisions will be made by individual areas and communicated by supervisors.

Public safety, traffic and event operations will be coordinated with Springfield/Greene County Office of Emergency Management, Springfield Police Department, Springfield Fire Department, Mercy EMS and event organizers.

Thank you for your flexibility and cooperation as we welcome visitors to campus while continuing normal university operations.

Bicycle Impoundment Notice – Summer 2026

by

As the Spring semester ends at Missouri State University, Campus Safety would like to remind the campus community about our annual bicycle impoundment process. This effort reduces the amount of abandoned property throughout campus and reduces bicycle thefts.

Important Timeline

With most students departing campus by May 9, the bicycle collection process will begin May 9, 2026.

What You Need to Know

In accordance with Campus Safety Bicycle Regulations:

  • Bicycles that appear abandoned or not in use by current students, faculty, or staff during the summer semester are subject to removal and impoundment.
  • All impounded bicycles will be held for a minimum of 30 days.
  • After this holding period, unclaimed bicycles will be disposed of by Campus Safety.

 How to Avoid Impoundment

To ensure your bicycle is not collected:

  • Take your bicycle home with you before May 9, or
  • If you are remaining on campus and actively using your bicycle:
    • Remove this notice, and
    • Email Campus Safety at CampusSafety@missouristate.edu with:
      • Bicycle make, model, and color
      • The location of the bicycle rack(s) you will be using

U-Bolt Lock Reminder

If you have received a U-Bolt lock from Campus Safety, please return it to the Transportation Office before leaving campus to avoid being charged.

Campus Safety appreciates your cooperation in helping maintain a safe, orderly, and accessible campus environment throughout the summer months. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out at 417-836-5509.