Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., today announced the distribution plan for the Spartan Strong Fund. As part of the plan, funds will support impacted students, their families and employees following the violence that occurred on campus Feb. 13.

The plan prioritizes support for families of loved ones who were lost, injured students and their families, physically uninjured individuals in the two Berkey Hall classrooms and food court kitchen inside the MSU Union, as well as mental health care reimbursement for students, faculty, staff and first responders impacted by the tragedy.

Today’s announcement follows recommendations from a committee comprised of students, faculty, staff and university leaders on how Spartan Strong Fund gifts should be disbursed in accordance with the intent of the fund.

“In the days and weeks following Feb. 13, I have seen our entire community come together and support one another during what has been a difficult time for many,” Woodruff said. “We are forever grateful to the thousands of people who have generously helped put our community on a path to healing through the Spartan Strong Fund.” 

The fund, which has received $2 million from more than 4,200 donors, was established in response to growing interest from the Spartan community to monetarily provide support for the evolving needs of the individuals most critically impacted.

Approximately $1 million of the fund will help support those most directly impacted by the tragedy. This includes resources to support the remainder of physically injured students’ undergraduate careers. The funds also will provide supportive and financial resources to approximately 50 physically uninjured individuals who were present in either one of the two first-floor Berkey Hall classrooms or the food court kitchen inside the MSU Union during the Feb. 13 violence. A portion of the funding also will assist families of the deceased with needs that are unmet by state and federal crime victim compensation funds.

Recognizing the healing process is different for each person, $500,000 of the fund will reimburse or directly pay for student, faculty, staff and first responder mental health care services. Additional information will be shared soon about how to seek reimbursement for these costs. 

To honor the victims of the Feb. 13 tragedy, approximately $300,000 – and any remaining contributions to the fund in excess of $2 million – will go toward the creation and installation of a permanent memorial on MSU’s campus, planned through a meaningful, respectful and collaborative process.

The remaining $200,000 will support healing and resiliency programming through the Office for Resource and Support Coordination for students, faculty, staff and first responders. 

“The love and generosity of the Spartan community near and far show no boundaries,” said Kim Tobin, vice president of University Advancement. “We hope this additional relief, through the gracious support of our donors, will aid in the recovery process and provide opportunities for our community to continue coming together to honor, remember and heal.”