Following the deep solar minimum of solar cycle 23, the current development of cycle 24 suggests that it will be weaker than recent cycles. Observations so far suggest a reduced rate of SEP events and event size, with only one GLE event (to May, 2013). The rates of energetic CMEs and major solar flares have also been lower than in cycle 23, leading to quieter interplanetary conditions that may affect shock formation, seed particles, the maximum energy to which particles are accelerated, and SEP propagation. This session will address all aspects of SEP events including the associated energetic coronal mass ejections, major solar flares, and the physical conditions in the heliosphere, with an emphasis on observations in cycle 24 and their comparison with previous cycles. Papers that address observations, theory, and modeling of large SEP events in the heliosphere are particularly solicted.