Emergency egress lights remain illuminated inside Campbell Hall during a campuswide power outage at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
A failure at the T.B. Simon Power Plant led to a widespread power outage on Michigan State University’s campus Saturday, although power is now being restored.
The MSU Department of Police and Public Safety confirmed that power has come back in certain areas of campus after the outage began at 4:15 p.m.
The source of the failure has been identified, and crews are diligently working to repair the issue, according to a campus wide DPPS email sent at 10:37 p.m.
The university is “optimistic” that power will be restored by Saturday morning, the email read.
The T.B. Simon Power Plant produces electricity and steam power for campus. Once the plant comes back online, power will be restored to all the buildings and campus facilities over a period of time.
University staff are located at residence halls to assist students in entering buildings through main entrances.
MSU is working with Verizon Wireless to alleviate cellular service disruptions by bringing mobile units to campus, the email read. Cellular service should improve as students move off campus.
DPPS said students should be aware Green Light phones may not be working and, in the event of an emergency, should call or text 911. For non-emergencies, students are advised to call or text 517-355-2221.
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