Students and faculty at Penn State will come together today for a memorial service to commemorate the 32 victims of Monday's Virginia Tech shooting.

The memorial service, which will take place at noon at the worship hall in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, is an effort by the university to help students pay their respects to the victims and to cope with the tragedy.

"A memorial service is a common way for people to come together as a community to express their grief and sadness," university spokeswoman Annemarie Mountz said.

The service will feature three speakers, including Dennis Heitzmann, director of Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS); Alicia Anderson, a campus minister from the Spiritual Center; and Felicia McGinty, associate vice president of student affairs.

"I just hope [the service] will help students and really to help the entire university to come together to grieve as well as show some support for our friends and colleagues and to show some support for Virginia Tech," McGinty said. "Whether we know someone there or not, I think we are all deeply affected by what's occurred."

University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) and its president, Jay Chamberlin, played a large role in planning the service. "There will be a number of multi-faith readings, silent prayer, and other than that, I believe there will be a candlelight service as well," Mallory Gold, director of UPUA media relations, said.

There will probably be special mention of Jeremy Herbstritt, a Penn State graduate and son of a Penn State employee who was one of the shooting victims, Mountz said.

A number of student groups have already contacted UPUA about participating in the memorial service, Gold said.

"We'd like to get people there to show their support," she said.

It was unclear at press time if Penn State President Graham Spanier would attend the event.

In addition to the service, the worship center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for any student who wishes to pray or reflect on the tragedy on their own, Bob Smith, director of Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, said.

"It's just very sad, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those at Virginia Tech and the family members and friends who were affected by the tragedy," McGinty said.

CAPS is also offering counseling services to students who were affected by the shooting.

Students who are struggling with issues are urged to either go to 221 Ritenour or to schedule a crisis appointment, said Mary Anne Knapp, a clinical social worker and outreach coordinator with CAPS.

Any student who is seeking immediate counseling can speak with a 24-hour community crisis member by calling 1-800-643-5432.