EAST LANSING, Mich. -- As part of the continued response to the earthquake, members of the MSU community are encouraged to raise awareness and celebrate Haitian and Caribbean culture through several upcoming events as well as opportunities around campus to do more to support this country in need.

A series of on-campus fundraising events are planned for February including a "Taste of the Caribbean" on February 25 at 5:00 pm and a "Haitian and Caribbean Festival" of performing arts on February 26 in the MSU Auditorium.

On February 25 the Multicultural Center in the MSU Union will be turned into a Caribbean food court, with dinner available for $10 per person. Food is provided by certified Caribbean caterers from across the state of Michigan. Tickets will be pre-sold through the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and on the day of the event at the Multicultural Center.

On February 26, the MSU auditorium will be home to a gala of cultural performances by MSU student groups and Caribbean musical ensembles beginning at 7 p.m. The Haitian and Caribbean Festival will feature performances by Tripoli Steel band, Orquesta Ritmo Salsa Orchestra, D-Lux Mizik, a Haitian kompa band from Chicago.

Tickets are available at the Center for Latin American, Wharton Center box office and online at www.whartoncenter.com

The Festival is sponsored by ASMSU and the Council for Graduate Students. Admission is free to students with an MSU ID, with donations are strongly encouraged. General admission is $15.

All proceeds from these events will support medical relief projects organized in collaboration with Michigan State University, Institute of International Health, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the Caribbean Student Association.

"We continue to see tremendous support on campus from both students and faculty for relief and reconstruction needs in Haiti," said Nicholas Kerr, president of the MSU Caribbean Student Association. "We are very pleased with the response so far and believe we can help raise funds to support sending an MSU led medical team later this year." These major fundraising events are part of the framework of MSU's long-term response to the disaster, which highlights education and understanding as key in providing local support.

"We are currently working with a local hospital to plan and coordinate MSU's participation in a medical relief mission in Haiti," said Reza Nassiri, director of MSU's Institute of International Health and an assistant dean with the College of Osteopathic Medicine. "Our goals and objectives will be defined during the next several weeks."

In addition to fundraising and planning for a medical relief project, MSU has also continued to develop educational resources about Haiti:

* ISP’s educational series titled, "Help Haiti Heal," which will focus on increasing understanding of Haitian culture, history and reconstruction needs. More information on the series is available at the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Web site (http://www.isp.msu.edu/CLACS/haiti.htm)

* "Exploring Haiti & the 2010 Earthquake," a new exhibit on the history and culture of Haiti can be viewed on 3 West in the Main Library. Produced by librarians Ruth Ann Jones, Hui Hua Chua and Kathleen Weessies, with contribution by Dr. Kazuya Fujita of the Department of Geological Sciences, the exhibit also explores the geologic context of the Jan. 12 disaster and the humanitarian response following.

* The Office of Faculty and Organizational Development has put together a webpage of useful resources for professors looking for the best ways to confront challenging questions and discussions that may arise in relation to the earthquake and its aftermath. From blogs about events in Haiti specifically to guides on how to discuss controversial or sensitive crisis issues in the classroom, this collection of resources can be found online (http://fod.msu.edu/fod_archives/haiti.asp.) To learn more about their projects please visit the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (http://www.msu.edu/~carib/>MSU Caribbean Student Association,/a> or the Web sites.