The Whole World is One Family.

That was the theme on Wednesday evening when MSU students, international student leaders and nine local religious leaders gathered outside the Wharton Center, holding candles to remember the lives lost in Tsunami in Southeast Asia.

"It's an appropriate symbol of our caring and concern," MSU President Lou Anna Simon said of the ceremony, and we agree.

We commend those who came out to honor the dead. It's great that roughly 100 people took time out their night to light candles and remember the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, but we believe that the university can do more.

Although the vigil undoubtedly made a great statement, it didn't do anything to ease the pain of those who are suffering the most. As a powerful bed of knowledge and resources, this university owes it to the flood victims to send some actual aid their way.

We are pleased to hear that MSU President Lou Anna Simon plans to create an account for donations from the MSU community and that she contacted the alumni who were, and are, in the affected areas.

Simon has also promised an "ongoing discussion" for long-term projects, but we want to be sure this discussion will actually lead to efforts coming to fruition.

MSU has contacts all over the world; now is the time to use them. The idea to establish a fund is an important start, and we encourage all students and faculty to contribute.

But we also want to see the university live up to its potential and send aid in different forms. Whether it comes in the form of agricultural help or medical supplies, we are not living up to our responsibilities as a university if "larger projects" never get off the ground.