Michigan State University Federal Credit Union reacts to on-campus shooting

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union in East Lansing is increasing its support of the sponsoring Michigan State University after a shooter killed three students and wounded several others.

University officials issued an immediate campus-wide shelter-in-place order on Monday evening after learning of the active shooting situation, eventually lifting the directive a few hours later once the perpetrator was found dead of apparent self-inflicted wounds. Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner were identified as the students who died, and five victims remain in critical condition, according to a press release issued by campus police.

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In the wake of the tragedy, MSUFCU has closed its branch located on MSU's campus in the student union and has pledged its assistance to the university. The credit union also delayed a press conference, originally scheduled for Wednesday, during which it planned to announce the launch of a digital offering. 

Susi Elkins, chief community impact officer for the $7.3 billion-asset MSUFCU, explained how the credit union quickly closed three branches located near the university to protect staff and is offering employees access to a mental health clinician through its employee assistance program.

"First and foremost, our response has been focused mainly on making sure that we are being supportive to our employees and meeting their needs. … [MSU administration] is working through a lot of things right now, but we've certainly reached out and offered our support and we'll work together to determine what the needs are going to be for the students, faculty and staff," Elkins said.

Credit unions are no stranger to stepping up in times of need, with many launching domestic and international campaigns for aid to help impacted consumers recover from wildfires, tornadoes and even wars.

The university has suspended normal operations through Wednesday, Feb. 15, and canceled all in-person classes until Monday, Feb. 20 while the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit Field Office and Victim Services Division assists students, staff and faculty recover personal items that were left behind during the incident.

"We cannot begin to fathom the immeasurable amount of pain that our campus community is feeling…We want to assure our community that our department as well as our law enforcement partners will conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation regarding this tragic incident," the university said in the release.