CMU stands in solidarity with Michigan State
Students call for action during gathering, vigil
Green and white; maroon and gold. The flags for Michigan State University and Central Michigan University hung side-by-side over the stage in Finch Fieldhouse Feb. 15, as CMU students, faculty and staff stood together in solidarity and support of the Spartans.
Later that evening, at 8:18 p.m., the same time the first shot was heard on MSU's campus
Monday, around 1,000 CMU students lit candles and phone flashlights at the CMU Seal. The students honored victims of the shooting at MSU with a moment of silence. Their hugs warmed one another on a windy and cold Wednesday evening.
Tragic events on MSU‘s campus occurred on Monday night, Feb. 13. A lone gunman killed three students and injured five. The gunman died of a self-inflicted wound according to the New York Times.
Students expressed their condolences in their speeches to the families of those killed and injured. Flowers laid under the lowered CMU flag. “CMU students stand with MSU,” read a hardboard sign under the CMU Seal draped with a Spartan flag.
Taylor Idema, president of Student Government Association and one of the organizers of the Solidarity Gathering and Candlelight Vigil, said she wanted to show CMU’s support to MSU, and remind the university that it is not alone. She said the gatherings also were a resource for CMU students to create a supportive community.
“We have student leaders across campus, we are here, and there are resources for people who need them," Idema said. "Do not be afraid to reach out to any of us for anything."
Idema also shared support and love to MSU in a statement on behalf of SGA, Feb. 14.
“There are no words to describe the events that have occurred over the past several hours on the campus of Michigan State University,” Idema wrote. “We are heartbroken at the thought of fellow students having to endure such a senseless act of violence.”
At the Solidarity Gathering, CMU President Bob Davies expressed his support to students of CMU and across the state. He said that as a university president, student safety is a priority.
“CMU, as a community, one that cares, is important,” Davies said in his speech. “Tonight is also important because it shows that we’re not just about each one of us in this room. It’s about other students across the state, across the nation. When it comes to students’ safety, when it comes to students’ success, we are all standing together.”
Illuminating voices
At both gatherings on Wednesday, students were able to speak up and share their experiences. Many of them talked about their connections to MSU, including friends and family who study or work there. Some remembered their experiences of surviving the mass shooting in Oxford High School.
Nevaeh Gunn, a CMU freshman, said she was scared for her friends that were in East Lansing on Monday night. She said the events felt close to home.
“I reached out to a couple of them just to make sure they were okay because I hadn't heard from them in a couple hours,” Gunn said. “(Making) sure they were not hurt. … Hearing their stories was … scary.”
Idema said she also has a connection to MSU.
“Both my parents went to MSU,” she said. “I have family members who work there. I have cousins who currently go to school there ... who were in public buildings at the university while this (was) going down, so obviously very scary.”
Third-year student Ryan Biller is a director of the Residence Housing Association, which was also one of the organizers of the events. Biller said all the organizers worked together for students to unite and use their voices.
“We at CMU are here standing by everyone at MSU and all the people, all the students at CMU that are affected by the shootings,” Biller said.
Students call for action
Third-year student Luke Pramuka said he has never felt safe at school.
“Policy will need to change,” Pramuka said. “We need to have less school shootings to make people feel safe at school. I think the only way to change that is going to be through policy.”
“Tomorrow will be a new day,” Pramuka said. “I do have hope in our governor and our legislature now to enact policy change here in the state.”
Fourth-year student Jada Grandy said in a speech at the Solidarity Gathering that mass shooting is an American problem, and should not be politicized.
“I want to see less thoughts and prayers,” Grandy said. “I want to see less hashtags with ‘strong‘ on them. I want to see kids going to school. I want to see legislation.
“They talked about how house divided. The house can be divided on certain issues, but a gun issue should not be something we're divided on at this point.”
Fourth-year student Natalie Brant is SGA Vice President. She also advocated for change in policies at the legislature.
“The right to bear arms doesn't mean the right to use arms against innocent human beings,” Brant said.
She also said that she would like to see action happen on CMU campus; for example, supplying all the buildings with inside locks on doors and locking the buildings more often.
Davies said that CMU has an emergency management protocol and the safety policies are always being worked on and updated.
“It’s constantly being updated when we do a big-time review,” Davies said. “When these incidents occur, we do look at what worked, what didn't work. … We're always in that process.”
Isaiah Oliver is the chairman of the Board of Trustees.
“The board stands ready to support recommendation as they come by way of policy from the administration,” Oliver said. “They're keeping a close eye on what's happening and … learning through the experiences of MSU leaders.”
Speaking to students at the Solidarity Gathering, Oliver highlighted the importance of standing alongside the families of MSU.
“We will learn as the days and weeks come how we can be more supportive and how we can move from moments of care to moments of action,” Oliver said.
Caring for themselves, each other
First-year student Queenaria Demetrius said she was saddened by the tragic events that occurred at MSU.
“We want prayers and condolences but we also want a better system to keep everybody safe,” Demetrius said. “I'm an auntie and a godmother. I can only think about my nephew and my god kids when they get to college. … I don't ever want them to go through this.”
How has the week treated her?
“I have been a little overwhelmed,” Demetrius said. “I talk about my feelings more.”
Demetrius said she would like to see longer wellness breaks and mental health care resources. CMU students, faculty and staff may get crisis assistance through the Counseling Center and Health Advocate.
Demetrius said she keeps a journal where she writes as her future self giving support to herself today.
Jennifer Nottingham, executive director of recreation programs and student activities, said that she received a lot of support from colleagues and friends. “Text messages, Coke, smiles” help her to take care of her mental health she said.
“I am learning a lot about myself and as an administrator … knowing that we provided opportunity (for students) has lifted me up,” Nottingham said.
Reneé Watson, vice president of Student Affairs, said that she finds comfort in providing students with community and standing with them in solidarity.
“There is power and strength for me just being here in space for community,” Watson said.
“Here is a community that cares and supports one another,” Davies said. “This is a hard time and while going through different emotions, we all have different experiences. … It is important to be there for someone else. It is also important for individuals themselves to be ready to ask for help.”
Brant said that in the times of hardship it is important to have a shoulder to cry on and to be a shoulder for somebody else.
“We are all so devasted and we all just need to be kind to each other,” Brant said. “At the end of the day we have to choose to be kind to each other because that’s the only way we are gonna get through these things.
“We are here for you,” Brant said. “Everybody is here for each other.”
