The sentencing of ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar made headlines across the world as more than 150 survivors shared stories of Nassar’s abuse. In response, Spartans have turned to activism.
To comfort, empower and listen to students, several colleges at MSU are hosting events, sending letters and reaching out to their students. Here is what some of the colleges are doing.
College of Arts and Letters
The College of Arts and Letters, or CAL, has held several events with faculty, students, staff and community members. An open College Advisory Council meeting, a staff town hall, and interdepartmental efforts to support student dialogue are among efforts made.
The college held an “Open Mic, Open Stage, Open Space” event on Feb. 18 at the MSU Auditorium. The event was solely by and for students, who shared art, performances and expressed themselves in any way they saw fit.
College of Human Medicine
College of Human Medicine Dean Norman Beauchamp, Jr. set up a new “Culture of Safety” email address to listen to campus concerns and gather feedback.
The college offered teal ribbons for sexual assault awareness to members of the college, Geri Kelley, communications director for the College of Human Medicine, said. Also ordered were “no silence” and “speak up!” buttons.
College of Social Science
College of Social Science, or CSS, Dean Rachel Croson met with several classes and advisers in addition to holding a town hall for students on Feb. 8.
Croson created an email address to take more questions from students. She plans to send a document with the questions and counseling resources to all CSS students, Director of Communications for the College of Social Science Rebecca Jensen said.
The Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, run by Human Development and Family Studies within CSS, is offering its services to any MSU student for free, Jensen said.
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences, or CAS, plans to nurture efforts from members of the college, providing small grants to certain ideas.
MSU’s deans have discussed initiatives and responses to recent events, Dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Prabu David said. The website deans.msu.edu has been created to help communicate their mission, CAS Senior Communications Director Nicole Szymczak said.
Residential College in the Arts and Humanities
The Residential College in the Arts and Humanities has created a webpage for updates regarding sexual violence and related campus issues, according to an email from Dean Stephen Esquith.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
College of Veterinary Medicine
The College of Veterinary Medicine sent messages from Dean John Baker to its entire community.
A town hall was held Feb. 15. The college also has an on-staff counselor available by appointment.
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Several departments in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, or ANR, plan to have department-wide meetings with students, faculty and staff.
ANR began holding open lunch hour forums on Feb. 19 and 21. There will be another forum on Feb. 23.
College of Education
The “March on Hannah,” a protest calling for the resignation of the Board of Trustees and Interim President John Engler, was organized in part by the College of Education Faculty.
Dean of the College of Education Robert Floden hosted a town hall for faculty, staff and students on Feb. 6. According to a Feb. 11 message from Floden, the college is compiling a summary from the event to determine how to move forward.
Eli Broad College of Business
The Eli Broad College of Business is holding town hall meetings for the deans with faculty, doctoral students, MBA students and undergraduate students.
The college is also promoting campus resources, such as the college’s restrooms, lounges and community gathering spaces for students needing assistance.
The Broad Senate plans to dedicate the 2018 Senior Class Gift to a fund for survivors.
