Michigan State University moves ahead with plans to restart classes despite reservations by some students

Update: This story has been updated to reflect an update to a student’s condition at Sparrow.

EAST LANSING — Michigan State University officials Sunday said classes will resume on campus Monday as planned, although there will be modifications to grading and how instructors approach classwork.

"One of the things that's important for us at this point in time is to recognize that coming back together is something that will help us," interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko said said.

Michigan State University classes have been canceled since Feb. 13 when a gunman attacked students on campus, killing three and wounding five before turning a gun on himself when encountered by police several miles away from the school.

In addition to announcing the resumption of classes Sunday, officials said the MSU Union, where one student was murdered, will be closed through the end of the semester. Officials had previously announced that Berkey Hall, where two students died, would be closed to classes for the rest of the year.

Jeitschko said the resumption of classes Monday is not a resumption of normal operations.

"We know from mental health experts and we know from others who've unfortunately gone through these situations before us that coming back together as a community is healing," Jeitschko said. "For many, there are some people who feel differently and will feel differently about this."

MSU has spring break starting March 6. Officials said they didn't want to keep students out until after that week.

He asked professors not require "heavy lift" assignments for students when they return to campus to assist them.

In addition, a credit/no-credit grading system announced Friday will be expanded to include all spring undergraduate courses, Jeitschko said. It originally was available for 100- to 400-level courses.

Students who need a grief absence or medical withdrawal should also reach out to their academic advisers, Jeitschko said.

MSU's interim Deputy Police chief Chris Rozman said there will be an increased police presence on campus in the next week. Rozman declined to share specifics on safety improvements, noting that it'll take more of a discussion based on long-term needs.

Students have had mixed reactions to the university resuming classes Monday.

About 22,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging the university to provide hybrid or virtual options for those who don't wish to return to campus at all, or who aren't yet ready.

"After the egregious events that happened this week, student’s and faculty’s safety should not be treated lightly," Kameron Cone wrote in the petition. "This is an urgent proposal, and is a stand for our fellow Spartans to safely and successfully finish the semester!"

Interim President Teresa Woodruff said Sunday that the university will not identify any of the students currently hospitalized at Sparrow Hospital. According to an update shared by MSU police on Twitter, three students are in critical condition, one is in serious-but-stable condition, and another is in fair condition.

The university will be paying hospital bills for all students, Woodruff added. The Spartan Strong fund created just after the mass shooting has raised over $250,000, she said. About 2,000 people have donated to the fund.

MSU said Friday it would initially use community donations to the "Spartan Strong" fund to pay the medical bills for the five students who survived Monday’s mass shooting, but committed to make up any shortfall with university funds.

"We're very grateful for the overwhelming support that has poured in from around the country and the state," Woodruff said. "We have alumni wanting to help us from far and near."

Too early:'Monday is way too soon': MSU plan to resume classes questioned

Along with the petition, MSU's independent student newspaper, The State News, published an editorial Thursday stating its staff would not attend class on Monday. The media outlet advocated for heightened campus security, requiring MSU IDs to access on-campus buildings, and providing continued counseling for students and faculty.

Student group Action Before Attendance is organizing a "strike" Monday, according to Lucinda Gleespen, junior and vice president of education for the Spartan Housing Cooperative.

Other students, however, found comfort in seeing their peers on Thursday when operations resumed. They said they still don't know if they are comfortable attending classes.

“I'm torn as to what I want to do come Monday,” MSU junior Salina Voegtly said. “I want to go back to class. I want to see my classmates. I'm here to learn. This doesn't change that Michigan State's a place of learning and education and growth — and I don't want this to be reduced to a crime scene and a statistic.”

More:'I just hugged them and held their hands': Berkey Hall prof, students wait out MSU attacks together

Rozman noted the shooting is still under investigation but said police have concluded it was an isolated event and the man accused is the only suspect.

Associated Students of Michigan State University President Jo Kovach announced students have organized a vigil at an undisclosed location and a town hall inside of Bessey Hall, both set to occur on Tuesday.

"Students are scared, but absolutely ready to do what we can to make changes," she said.

Woodruff added the "no media please" signs the university printed out for students are to help students process grief privately. She worked with Kovach to develop the signs so the university can intervene on students' behalf and is part of the wrap around care MSU is providing.

"Students desperately need flexibility, empathy and options coming back to campus," Kovach said. "Not every student is going to process or grieve the same, and they deserve as many options as possible."

Reporters Sheldon Krause and Mark Johnson contributed.

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State to resume classes Monday, despite reservations by some