EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan State University announced on Tuesday that classes at the university will be suspended on February 13, 2024 in remembrance of the shooting that took place a year prior. 

MORE NEWS: Detroit Settles with Police and Fire Pension Board on 30-Year Plan for Deferred Payments

“The university is planning a remembrance event for this day that will incorporate input and feedback from the Spartan community, including those who were most directly impacted,” Interim MSU President Teresa Woodruff said in a letter to the school, “While classes will not meet, the university will remain open on this day to support students and our community.”

Practically speaking, the school will have a very diminished workload for the students that day and in the days following. 

“For most students, this means classes will not be held, assignments will not be due on this day, and exams will not be held. Classes will meet again on Feb. 14, but assignments and exams will not be due on this date either,” MSU officials added, “Assignments and exams may be scheduled on Feb 15 and continuing through the remainder of the semester.”

 Following the shooting on campus the day before Valentine’s Day in 2023, which left five students in the hospital and killed three, the university decided to close down the student Union and Berkey Hall, where the shootings took place.  After discussions, Woodruff announced that things will be different starting this fall. 

“After conversations and input from those who hold offices in the building, we have decided to make the space available for faculty, academic staff, graduate students, and support staff with existing offices starting this fall,” she said in the letter, “Importantly, students and employees who do not want to reenter the space are not required to do so and may seek out alternative options for the fall through their academic college or unit.”

In the wake of the shooting, MSU and more than 4,000 donors worked together to donate to the “Spartan Strong Fund” which was to be allocated to help those impacted by tragedy that struck the campus.  

MORE NEWS: Forgotten Heroes Finally Find Peace: 13 Unclaimed Veterans Laid to Rest in Holly Township

MSU officials said that the priority is to support the families of loved ones lost, injured students and their families, as well as those physically uninjured but physically present in the places where the shooting took place. Approximately $1 million has been earmarked to support those most directly affected, and $500,000 has been set aside for reinstatement of mental health care services.