Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko said returning to classes on Monday is a step in the right direction and a necessary phase in the process of everything coming back together. However, he said, no one thinks students are coming back to a normal week.

“Coming back together is something that will help us,” Jeitschko said. “Interacting with people who are familiar is helpful in the process of healing and grieving. So, in order to make this happen, we have decided that we will return to campus both in terms of the classroom setting as well as the regular work, come tomorrow.”

Professors will be granted the flexibility to make syllabus accommodations, including deadlines, midterm exams and learning outcomes.  Students who don't feel comfortable returning to classes in-person should reach out to their instructors because accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis, Jeitschko said.

“Some courses lend themselves to (online or hybrid) options, some do not and so it'll all depend on these instances," Jeitschko said. "But all faculty have been asked and instructed to make sure that they will engage with their students around these type of questions, and that they engage in a manner that is empathetic and appropriate for the circumstances.”

Professors are not recommended to attempt to make up for the lost time upon the return to classes. Student Life and Engagement Senior VP Vennie Gore said the effects of this incident is “a long walk to healing, recovery and resilience,” and everybody is at a different pace in their healing. 

Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, President Jo Kovach said students must have as many options as possible when deciding whether or not to go back to in-person classes. Students “need these spaces to heal together," she said.

“Students are scared,” Kovach said. “Students desperately need flexibility, empathy and options coming back to campus.”

Berkey Hall and the MSU Union will be closed for the remainder of the semester, Jeitschko said. Instructors who previously held classes in the two buildings have been informed of their new class location. 

CAPS and other resources will be provided to students and employees. Whether the people are experiencing PTSD, depression, grief or any other issues, the university is “focused on social support and helping people enhance their resiliency and coping skills,” Assistant Provost and Executive Director for University Health and Well-Being Alexis Travis said.

There are counselors in all five neighborhoods on campus to help students, Travis said. 

“We recognize that healing is a personal journey,” Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Norman Beauchamp Jr. said. “We will continue to listen and meet the needs. We’re here to make sure no one is suffering alone.”

Law enforcement has identified the five students who were injured in the shooting and their names will first be shared by their respective families, not law enforcement.

The shooting was named an "isolated incident," was isolated, meaning that there was only one involved individual, who is no longer a threat to campus, Interim Deputy Chief Chris Rozman said.

Rozman said MSUPD is considering changes to improve safety on campus but long-term solutions are still being considered.

"There are many things that we are considering and that includes building ingress, egress, access control, doors, physical security, just to name a few," Rozman said.

There will be an increased visible presence of police on campus as students return to classes, because some students want to see extra police, Rozman said.

Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Rema Vassar said the administration needs to be flexible because one of the most important things right now is that the community is connected and caring for each other. 

“We’re making sure our students and employees feel safer returning to our beautiful campus,” Vassar said. “It’s a balance, providing safety measures while also trying to make sure that we don’t diminish the freedoms that we’ve all been accustomed to having.”