The actions in the video "contradict MSU’s values of inclusion and ensuring everyone feels welcome at our university," spokesperson Amber McCann said. 

"MSU wants to express support for our Muslim community members and acknowledge the pain and distress that hateful actions cause," McCann said. 

A Muslim student — who did not want his name published for fear of retaliation — told The State News that while he recognizes "that we live in a society that protects freedom of speech" and the actions in the video fall under that, burning the Quran "crosses the line from free expression into deliberate provocation and harm."

"The Quran is sacred to over a billion people. This act isn't about dialogue, it's about disrespect," the student said. "Freedom of speech should never be a cover for hate. Actions like this don't spark meaningful conversation; they fuel division and normalize Islamophobia. We need to understand that while speech can be free, it must also be held responsible."

The video is a recording of a phone screen playing a Snapchat story containing multiple clips that appear to show several intoxicated students at a party. 

The first clip shows an individual reading what appears to be a paperback English translation of the Quran to other students. The individual can be heard reading it in what appears to be a mocking tone while someone next to them listens and nods mockingly. An incorrectly spelled caption reading "the quaran" was overlaid on the video. 

The story then cuts to a different person holding the Quran, only this time the book is on fire. 

The camera then shows another individual who tells the person holding the burning book to "take that s— outside." It then pans back to the person holding the burning book, who says "we’re burning the Quran."

Another person then enters the frame and leans toward the burning book to light a cigarette before the video ends. 

The anonymous student said the video was reported to MSU during fall semester. Asked about that claim, McCann said “I believe” it was reported to the Office of Civil Rights last semester. 

It’s unclear what happened after the video was reported, as McCann declined to say whether MSU investigated the matter or provide details regarding the status of the report. A public records request would need to be submitted for information regarding "any review or investigation performed by OCR," she said. 

Asked why, however, she said "findings from OCR investigations are made available through FOIA."

The anonymous student said that after the video was reported to MSU last semester, nothing was done. 

The reason the video is just now circulating, the student said, is because a similar incident involving the same individuals burning another copy of the Quran occurred earlier this week. He was told this information by the person who showed him the video, he said. 

"We do know it's the same people that did it before, and (the) same act," the student said. 

He said the university is aware of the most recent incident and was contacted about it. McCann confirmed this, saying that a similar incident occurred this past week. 

Muslim students have been talking with university administration about steps moving forward regarding how the university can help, the student said.

"University leaders, faculty and staff are all committed to build an inclusive community where every student can thrive," McCann said. "The university is aware of the video and is in the process of offering support to those who have reached out."