Grand Valley State University will be holding information programs and memorial services today for the benefit of its students, faculty and staff.
Evening classes on GVSU's Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids are cancelled Tuesday, September 11.
Three sites, two in Allendale and one in Grand Rapids will be open for prayer and reflection, followed by group discussions led by Campus Ministry and the Counseling Center. Individual and group counseling services will be available.
- 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Louis Armstrong Theatre on the GVSU Allendale campus, as well as ongoing discussions announcements and TV monitoring with counseling staff.
- 4 p.m. in front of the Cook Carillon Tower on the Allendale Campus, a unity event will be led by GVSU President Mark Murray, Student Senate President Ben Witt. University Carillonneur Julianne Vanden Wyngard will perform music, and the university community will gather for reflection and meditation on today's tragic events.
- 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. in the Teleconference Auditorium of the GVSU Eberhard Center at 301 W. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids. At the Beckering Carillon on the DeVos Center, University Carillonneur Julianne Vanden Wyngard will perform music, and the university community will gather for reflection and meditation on today's tragic events.
- 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Kleiner Commons on the GVSU Allendale campus.
In the wake of today's devastating attacks on the U.S., the GVSU Counseling Center is offering both group and individual counseling services throughout the day.
For many people, getting together to talk about what they're seeing on the news and voice their feelings can help them sort out their emotions, said Diana Pace, director of the Counseling Center. Counselors are gathering with students throughout the day in television viewing areas set up at the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Kirkhof Center and other gathering spots.
GVSU counselors will also hold special group announcement and de-briefing sessions from 7-9 p.m. today at Kleiner Commons, and from 5-9 p.m. at the Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids, room 201. Along with students, faculty and staff are also invited to attend.
When hearing news of this magnitude, what often happens is that people freeze, somewhat like being in shock, Pace said. It brings up feelings of insecurity and a need for a sense of structure and a place to talk about feelings.
The Counseling Center's concern is to provide that sense of structure and help students give voice to and cope with their feelings. All GVSU counselors are trained in Critical Instant Stress De-Briefing, a model for dealing with tragedy and shock. The methods are being implemented at gatherings and planned sessions outlined above.
Individual, on-site, and group/class counseling is also offered. Students can visit the Counseling Center at 203 Student Services Building or call 895-3266.
Counselors are also contacting all GVSU students who are currently overseas.
