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Sharing gratitude for the Spartan community

By Interim Dean Judith Whipple
Wednesday, February 22, 2023

As the Broad College’s interim dean, as an alum and as a mom, the violence our community experienced last week on our beloved campus has been difficult to comprehend.

We are grieving those members of our Spartan family who we lost, including one from our own Broad community, and we are holding up hope for those who remain hospitalized.

Our students are our university’s most precious gift. And in their time of greatest need, in the face of such pain and loss, so many have selflessly answered the call to join together and come to their aid.

The outpouring of love and support we have received from countless alumni, friends, corporate partners and peer institutions has been overwhelming in its sincerity and generosity. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

We are working as a university to find a path forward toward healing, with a steady focus on the well-being of our students. University leaders, faculty and staff are working constantly to address the needs and feelings of safety for our students, both inside and outside the classroom.

As we begin this process, a number of efforts are taking place in the Broad College to provide a welcoming and safe environment for students who have returned to classrooms. In that effort, our Undergraduate Engagement Center has become a central hub for all students and employees to take part in support activities.

Our Russell Palmer Career Management Center has created a “Give a Note, Take a Note” outlet for faculty, staff and students to write notes of compassion, kindness and other thoughts at sticky note stations in the building. It has been heartwarming to see these notes and other messages of support throughout our entire Business College Complex. We are also distributing information on mental health resources available for students on campus and in the local community.

Ways to support

Broad Spartans — and all Spartans — will continue to need support, today and on the long road ahead. We encourage you to take the time to check in with friends, family and colleagues in the Michigan State University community. If you are a parent or family member of a current student, MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services offers resources for how you can help them.

While MSU is covering hospital bills for the injured students, the Spartan Strong Fund has been created to provide support for the evolving needs of the individuals most critically impacted. The fund will also be used for student and staff counseling, campus safety enhancements and recognition for those involved with the crisis, such as first responders.

MSU’s Emergency Student Support Fund is an existing fund available to all MSU students that provides emergency assistance for those facing an unexpected financial burden, which may put them at risk of not completing their education.

Non-monetary donations are also being accepted through University Procurement and Logistics via a donation request form.

Official Spartan Strong products are also available now, with 100% of the proceeds from the T-shirt sales at Spartan Spirit Shop and many other vendors going toward the Spartan Strong Fund.

As we continue to identify and share opportunities to support students, we urge you to seek out your local alumni club as an avenue to organize and connect. With over 100 clubs around the world, these offer a touchpoint for those far from campus to gather and strengthen our Spartan community.

MSU is our home, and we are pledging our faith anew. In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to come together to mourn, heal and support one another. I know our community will find our way through this challenging time together, remaining Spartan Strong.

 

Interim Dean Judith Whipple's signature

Judith Whipple
Interim Dean
Broad College of Business

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