Message from Dean Cheruvelil following February 13 events

February 14, 2023

Dear LBC students,

Our hearts are breaking today. In the face of so much that we still don’t know, we must rely on one another and our communities for support. We want to ensure that you know that campus is now safe. The LBC staff, faculty, advisors, as well as the Holmes Hall residential and culinary staff ALL care about your health and safety.

Each of us will process last night’s events differently and on different timelines. Some may return home, others will want to gather with friends, and others may appear or be ok. Some may have immediate responses while others may have delayed responses. This range of responses is normal. Please remember to tend to your basic needs—eat, drink water, rest, and find comfort from those you love.

We anticipate having opportunities for in-person and virtual LBC gatherings later this week, and we will update you about those as soon as we can. Below, we share some MSU-level updates. We will update you as we learn more. You can also find official updates at https://msu.edu/emergency.

For those of you on campus, there will be a candlelight vigil at the Rock on February 15 at 6:00 p.m.

ALL classes have been canceled until Monday, February 20. There will be no exams, assignment deadlines, or class activities until Monday morning.

There are resources available for your mental health support.

Crisis counseling is available at Hannah Community Center (819 Abbot Rd., East Lansing) for MSU students, staff, faculty and their families Tuesday, February 14.
- Please check in at the front door to be directed to trained crisis counselors.
- Water, facial tissues, face masks and hand sanitizers will be available. 
- A small CATA bus marked “SHUTTLE” will transport community members from the Shaw Ramp (MSU/CATA Transportation Center on campus) to the Hannah Community Center, and back.
As I write this message, crisis counselors are being set up for students in East Neighborhood. They will be available noon-9pm today in Akers Hall room 137 or via Zoom; Meeting ID: 914 2997 4640; Passcode: 512962.
Virtual Listening Spaces will be available separately for MSU students, faculty and staff to process the tragedy with others later this week. More information will be shared here as soon as it is available.
CAPS will provide virtual appointments for those with pre-scheduled appointments.
24/7 virtual crisis counseling is available. Students can call CAPS at (517) 355-8270 and press “1” at the prompt to speak with a crisis counselor any time.
Student Health Services appointments at Olin Health Center will be canceled for Tuesday, February 14 and Wednesday, February 15. 
Self-guided resources, such as soothing breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation and others are available on the CAPS  Resources page.

I have few words to share, but I am confident that love and caring for each other is our path forward. Lean on each other and be there for each other.

Take care,

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Kendra Spence Cheruvelil
Dean, Lyman Briggs College
Professor, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
& Lyman Briggs College
Michigan State University