Dear MSU Community,

Next week, members of the MSU community — both on campus and across the state, nation and world — will come together in remembrance of the tragic violence that occurred on campus one year ago. The events and activities planned for Feb. 13, 2024, provide an opportunity for individuals, in their own way, to reflect, grieve and honor those we lost, those injured and all impacted by the tragedy.

At the Office for Resource and Support Coordination, or ORSC, we validate and respect that everyone in our community will have various reactions to the anniversary, as each person remains on their own individual journey.

Please keep this information in mind for next week:

• For most students, there are no classes Feb 13, assignments will not be due on this day and exams will not be held. Classes will meet again Feb. 14, but assignments and exams will not be due on this date either.
• The university will remain open to support the needs of our community, including dining halls, mental health support services, recreational sports facilities and CATA transportation services.
• Participation in any activity is voluntarily. We want to provide opportunities for remembrance, reflection and connection — and provide supportive resources to those who need them.

Updated information about the planned events on Feb. 13, 2024, can be found at the Spartans Together website. Below is a brief synopsis of activities:

• Monday, Feb. 12: From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., individuals can pick up and decorate luminaries at the Gilbert Pavilion at the Breslin Student Events Center. A luminary lighting event will take place on Feb. 13, from 8:00 to 8:25 p.m. at locations on campus and beyond. Free luminaries are also available to pick up at these alternate locations.
• Tuesday, Feb. 13: Reflective Spaces staffed with counseling support will be open for Spartans from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at several locations:
  • Brody Hall, Room 175
  • Main MSU Library, Green Room W444 (support dogs will be present)
  • International Center
  • Hannah Community Center, Recital Room 246
• Tuesday, Feb. 13: Additionally, the Alumni Memorial Chapel will be used as a Reflective Space from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with religious leaders representing a spectrum of denominational beliefs available to provide support and counselors available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 13: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., support dogs will be available in the Eppley Center, Room E105. No counselors will be present in this space.
• Tuesday, Feb. 13: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Healing Through Kindness and Service event will be held in the International Center, Room 115, as well as at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to drop in and participate in kindness activities, such as note writing, gift-making or volunteering for service activities. A shuttle will be available between the two locations from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 13: From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., all are welcome to attend an evening remembrance gathering in Lot 62, north of Spartan Stadium. The gathering will provide a space for the community to come together in shared reflection on the one-year mark of Feb. 13. A short program will commence around 8:10 p.m., with a message to those gathered, the playing of MSU Shadows and moments of silence and the ringing of bells at 8:18 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. The gathering and program will be livestreamed starting at 7:30 p.m. The livestream will be hosted at https://spartanstogether.msu.edu/feb-13-2024-gathering-livestream. Road closure and parking information is available at Spartans Together.

Information regarding guidance for educators, supervisors and unit-level efforts can be found here.

Please remember, resources are available to all members of our community at the ORSC website. For any questions about the activities next week, please email orsc@msu.edu.

Sincerely,

The Office for Resource and Support Coordination