A former Michigan State University student claims he was hospitalized after being exposed to toxic chemicals associated with methamphetamine while attending classes in Wells Hall.
Former student Tymmij Lee Randolph said “as a result of the toxic exposure” he suffered multiple health issues including sepsis and serious dermatological and neurological injuries after attending classes during spring semester at Wells Hall. The notice of claim, which The State News obtained through a public records request, was sent on July 31 to the MSU Board of Trustees.
In April, Xin Tong, a former MSU mathematics graduate student, was arrested for possessing chemicals used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine inside Wells Hall.
The notice alleges that Tong "caused toxic contaminants to be disseminated into populated areas" of the building, meaning Randolph "was continuously exposed to the aforesaid hazards associated with the production of methamphetamine while he was in Wells Hall."
Randolph alleges that Tong used facilities on the fifth floor of Wells Hall, the largest academic building on campus, for methamphetamine production. It says this continued for an unknown period of more than 90 days before Tong was found on April 26, 2026. A State News report published last week details that similar incidents may have started around September 2025.
MSU Spokesperson Amber McCann said the university cannot comment on specific claims related to potential litigation.
"I do want to make clear that the health and safety of our community is MSU’s top priority," McCann said. "University leaders and campus law enforcement take thoughtful and appropriate action in the course of their duties and work together to help ensure the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors."
Randolph is being represented by Sinas Dramis, an Ingham County law firm. Sinas Dramis was not immediately available for comment at the time of publication.
A notice of intent to sue is a preliminary legal filing that lets public institutions know of a potential lawsuit. It says the intent is to “assert a liability claim for money damages."
Randolph argues that MSU should have been aware of the alleged unsafe conditions within Wells Hall, where he attended classes from Feb. 5, 2026 through April 23, 2026.
Randolph said he was hospitalized on May 5, 2026 and continues to suffer from his injuries.
In the notice, Randolph does not allege that MSU knew the building was contaminated.
On April 26, 2026, students entered Wells Hall for final exams, only to be evacuated around 10 a.m. for police to investigate “unknown chemicals” in the building. Wells Hall was closed for the remainder of the week and Tong was later found incompetent to withstand trial. His competency review hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13.
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