The Department of Geological Sciences at Michigan State University is home to a nationally and internationally prominent, vibrant group of students, faculty and staff. Closing this department would result in the loss of formal geosciences as a fundamental part of undergraduate and graduate training and would impair Michigan State University’s service to students, the local community, and the global scientific community. Given the key role of the geosciences with respect to studies of global change, environmental science, and global sustainability, I oppose closing the Department of Geological Sciences at Michigan State University.