Message from the President: We mourn and grieve with Michigan State University

President Philomena V. Mantella sent the following email with the campus community the morning of February 14.

Dear Grand Valley Community,

This morning we grieve and mourn for the Michigan State University community. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering.

We are offering our condolences and support to the entire Michigan State community. We are reaching out to our colleagues at MSU to offer whatever support or assistance that might be needed. Our Dean of Students Aaron Haight is taking the lead on offering assistance to MSU’s Student Affairs department. There is much support needed.

Many in our own community are affected by last night’s horrific violence. This terror was inflicted upon our friends and loved ones, our sons and daughters, our sisters and brothers.

We must not accept violence and terrorism on our campuses or in our communities.

I ask that each of you reach out to the students, faculty and staff you interact with to extend support and guidance, if needed.

Our University Counseling Center stands ready to assist students who need support with this tragedy. Likewise, our employee assistance program (EAP) provides 24/7 crisis support for faculty and staff. The GVSU community is welcome to file a CARE referral if you are a student in need of support, know a student who needs support or are generally concerned about a student. 

I have asked Grand Valley Police Chief Brandon DeHaan to learn all we can about what happened on MSU’s campus and work with our Critical Incident Response Team to apply the lessons they learn to our own preparedness plan.

Take care of yourselves and others. MSU is hurting and people all over our state are hurting. We must join together to comfort and to make changes to prevent this from ever occurring again.

I pledge to you that I will do all that is in my power to make Michigan’s campuses safe places for living and learning. 

Sincerely,

Philomena V. Mantella