For most people the shelter-in-place lockdown ended around 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 13, but the feelings are still with them.
Deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen said the signs are meant for students who are not comfortable sharing their experiences and stories from Monday’s mass shooting with members of the media.
“I’ll try to arrange (the flowers) in a way that's beautiful,” collections assistant Matt Chansler said. “Because once they're dry, they hold their shape like that forever … so that people will forever know what happened.”
An MSU parent's association is planning to hold a support booth for students on Monday featuring snacks, drinks and merchandise donated from across the state. "We're rooting for them as they bravely come back on campus," MSU parent Heather Sertic said.
As Spartans have had time to reflect after Monday's shooting on campus, many are organizing their own protests and vigils to express grief, anger or demands for change.
Spartans Against Gun Violence to host a candelight student vigil on Feb. 21.
“Right now, my legs are wobbly … because it feels empty and even though I (was) not here during the shooting itself, it feels wrong,” Sparty's Refresh worker Nurha Lim said. “No one's here to tell you that it's going to be fine because it's not going to be fine.”
When asked about the petition at a media conference Thursday morning, MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff said, “we’re considering all options for the manner in which we continue education and research.”
Grosse Pointe and Clawson community members come together to honor the lives of two Spartans violently killed on Monday night, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner.
Officials updated the community on Berkey Hall and The Union, the sites of Monday’s mass shooting, as well as additional information on the shooter.
MSU graduate student Emily Damman will be hosting Spartan Sunday, a volunteer event meant to brighten up the campus for students as they return from being home on Sunday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thousands of students, parents, and alumni gathered at the campus landmark to hear speakers and grieve those lost in the mass shooting on MSU’s campus.
No classes will be held in Berkey Hall or the MSU Union for the remainder of the semester, deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen confirmed. The university will share more information once new locations are determined.
Various institutions in Greater Lansing have offered support through goods like free coffee, beauty services and experiences for students, staff and first responders that have been affected by the mass shooting on MSU's campus.
Jack Harrell heard the gunshots. His first reaction was to run away as fast as he could. "It was just human nature," he said.
“I think the parents need to remember they need time to heal too,” MSU parent Eric Swanson said. “This was the biggest panic attack most of us have ever had. I've told friends that I’ve never felt as scared and helpless in my entire life as I did during those hours, and as much as we need to be there for our kids, we need to heal too.”
“I’m just trying to be the adult that I needed when I was a kid,” Reser said. “I know what it’s like to be a student that just wants to go home.”
“It feels good that I can serve the community and that I’m recognized enough to be sought after for impactful, meaningful work and that’s what I work for,” Lee said. “I love for art to serve the community more than just pretty pictures, but I hate to come for this reason. I take no joy in doing this.”
When Groeller heard about the new message that had been painted on the rock, her first thought that was the vigil that will be held Tuesday afternoon in front of it. "I thought to myself, 'who's gonna paint this over?'" Groller said. "And well, why not me?"
