DETROIT -- Wayne State University is planning a public remembrance ceremony in the Student Center Ballroom on campus at noon Thursday, Jan. 13, in honor of the tsunami victims in Asia. The university also is making counseling, information and other assistance available to students from the impacted countries and is encouraging students and employees to contribute to relief efforts for survivors.

The commemorative ceremony will consist of reflections, including comments, poems and other readings, by students. A staff member from the university's Counseling and Psychological Services Office will discuss the grieving process. A portable wall with poster sheets attached will be available at the ceremony so that those in attendance can jot memories, expressions of sympathy and reflections. The notes will be forwarded to the Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara in Southfield.

"On behalf of everyone at the university, I offer my deepest sympathy to the millions overtaken by the catastrophe, which has caused significant loss of life and almost incomprehensible destruction," wrote Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid in an open message to the university community. "As a culturally diverse university with a commitment to global education, and as a community deeply involved in international outreach, we are particularly sensitive to the plight of others regardless of their national origin."

A similar message of sympathy and support was issued by Dean of Students David Strauss in Warrior Net News, an online newsletter for WSU students.

The university's International Students and Scholars Office has indicated that approximately 700 students from India, 36 from Sri Lanka and two from Indonesia are enrolled at Wayne State. The office is making efforts to contact these students to determine if their families were affected by the disaster and to offer assistance. In addition, the Provost's Office is determining if any faculty members who may be from South and Southeast Asia need time off to travel to their home countries to assist relatives.

The remembrance activity was organized by the WSU Student Council, Dean of Students Office, Office of International Students and Scholars, and the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services.

Persons who wish to donate to the relief effort during the ceremony will receive a specially-commissioned, heart-shaped pin emblazoned with the word "tsunami." WSU students from Sri Lanka will be accepting donations throughout the week at tables located in the university's Student Center Building, Welcome Center and State Hall.

Members of the university community who wish to donate money for the relief effort are also being advised to contact the USA Freedom Corps (usafreedomcorps.gov) for a list of well-established private charities. For more information about Thursday's ceremony, call the Dean of Students Office at (313) 577-1010.