EAST LANSING, Mich. – Berkey Hall, the site of a tragic mass shooting on the Michigan State University campus, is set to fully reopen to students on Monday following the incident that took place on February 13, 2023. The hall had been closed to classes since the shooting, which resulted in the deaths of two students, Arielle Anderson and Alexandria Verner, and several others injured. The perpetrator, a 43-year-old Lansing man, also killed a third student at the MSU Union before turning the gun on himself during a confrontation with the police.
WKAR’s Arjun Thakkar was present at Berkey Hall as the first students arrived early Monday morning. He observed a somber atmosphere, with students slowly returning to campus after winter break. Interestingly, a survey of about 600 students revealed that the majority, around 77%, did not want Berkey Hall to reopen for classes. As a result, student efforts to protest the reopening by demanding more mental health resources and the option to attend classes at Berkey Hall hybrid or remotely have gained momentum.
During an interview, Thakkar mentioned that a demonstration was planned later in the day to protest the reopening of Berkey Hall, highlighting student activism and the push for safer and more accommodating campus environments. The decision to reopen the hall came after consultations with students, faculty, and experts, with the university acknowledging the non-linear nature of the healing process. They also pledged additional wellness resources and support for the students as the hall reopened.
The reopening of Berkey Hall marks an important step for the Michigan State University community in the healing process after the tragic events of February 13, 2023. The decision to reopen, despite student reluctance, raises important questions about the balance between providing a sense of normalcy and ensuring the emotional well-being of the students. It also underscores the need for universities to address the mental health needs of their students in the wake of traumatic events, in addition to offering support and resources for those directly affected by such tragedies.