Return from Break Updates

March 10, 2024

Dear Educators,

I hope you have taken some time this week to care for yourself and to rest. As we return to classes, each of us continues to grapple with the impact of the violence four weeks ago. Thank you for the compassion, support, and flexibility you expressed to our students and other members of our MSU community in the immediate aftermath of the violence.

The second half of the semester will likely require some continuing adjustments as we balance decisions about learning goals and curricular plans with continued compassion and responsiveness to student needs. Students may experience thoughts or feelings of sadness, anger, or other emotions—as may you and others in our MSU community. Please know that you are not expected to know how to address all the needs our students may express; rather, I ask you to be aware of the various resources available so you can direct students to the appropriate places for assistance.

The information below my signature has been compiled to provide you with quick reference to resources and information relevant in the coming weeks. In addition to enlisting these resources, I encourage you to continue to interact frequently with your colleagues. Conversations with colleagues provide opportunities for exchanging ideas and sharing helpful educational resources—and can provide mutual support for each other.

Finally, it is normal to want to do something to recognize and pay respect to those we lost and those injured. However, please be mindful that continuously revisiting traumatic experiences is not helpful and does not promote healing. We should not plan to hold moments of silence, town halls, or “debriefs” without first consulting with University Health and Wellbeing (UHW). They will send an initial response to e-mails sent to the UHW Outreach mailbox within 48 hours, but they need advance notice (preferably 5 business days) to staff an event with counselors. Advance notice and choice should always be given to the intended participants so they can choose whether to participate.

Thank you for all you are doing to support our Spartan community. Our efforts together will help us create and navigate the path forward.

With gratitude,

Thomas D. Jeitschko, Ph.D. (he/him)
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Economics

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Counseling and supportive resources for all members of the MSU community:

• As we continue to respond and recover, strong feelings may impact your students’ ability, or your ability, to engage in regular activities such as class or work for an extended period. If so, or if you would like to speak with a professional, please reach out for help.
• Crisis Support and Updates via CAPS
• Supportive Resources via msu.edu
• Toolkits are also available to help guide the recovery process.
• For students: Managing Your Distress After a Tragic Event
• For faculty: Dealing with the Aftermath of Tragedy in the Classroom
• For staff: Crisis Resources for Staff and Tips for Talking to Students in Crisis

Resources to support students:

• Please keep in mind that actions to improve campus safety are being put in place and that beginning March 13, most buildings on the East Lansing campus will require MSU ID access by current students, faculty, or staff members from 6 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. Please remind students to carry their MSU IDs for access to buildings that will be locked during those times and suggest they exchange contact information with a student colleague.
• FAQS regarding the Credit/No credit grade reporting option are available on the University Advising site.
• We recognize there are times when students experience an extenuating situation, emergency, or hardship that interferes with their ability to attend or successfully complete a class. To provide flexibility and supportive action, a number of Enrollment Exception Options are available to students.
• An #iteachmsu playlist of Student Success Contacts and Resources is available.

 Resources to support educators:

• The #iteachmsu playlist of Resources for Teaching After Crisis continues to be updated with new content and is organized by category for ease of reference.
• Consultations, workshops, and resources to support teaching at this time are available through the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development and the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation.