Campus reacts to disasters

The university remains open after leaders spoke to the campus community in response to Tuesday’s disasterous attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

By keeping the university operating, officials hope to extend whatever help and support is possible to students and staff affected by Tuesday’s events.

“We are making provision for counseling and travel assistance to all students, staff and faculty affected by these events, particularly where family relations are involved,” says Chancellor John Wiley.

In the emotional aftermath of the attacks, Dean of Students Alicia Chávez addressed hundreds of campus community members and others at an interfaith gathering on Library Mall Tuesday night.

“Take time in the next few days to take care of yourselves and those around you; to reach out for assistance and support from friends and family, community members and professionals at our university; to talk to yourself and each other out of making assumptions, placing blame or jumping to retaliatory action and to find ways to turn your feelings toward positive actions,” Chávez told the gathering.

“We are all shocked and devastated by the events of the day,” says Donna K. Sollenberger, president and CEO of UW Hospital and Clinics, which is part of the National Disaster Medical System. “I know our prayers and sympathies are extended to the innumerable families who have been affected by these senseless acts.”

For campus community members who want to do something to help, Youngblood Center in Union South will follow regular blood donation hours Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. To make an appointment, call 263-4590.

Other UW System institutions remain open as well. UW System President Katharine Lyall says there is no reason to believe that faculty, staff and students at the 26 campuses in the state are in any danger.

” I urge everyone in the UW System to remain calm in the aftermath,” Lyall says. ” My heart goes out to the victims of these attacks and their families. Our chancellors and their staffs are offering assistance to any UW System students, faculty and staff who are affected by what has happened.”

In what President George Bush described as “an apparent act of terrorism,” two hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center in New York Sept. 11 and both towering buildings collapsed. Within an hour, the Pentagon was hit in a similar attack. The devastation was visible even from weather satellites monitored by the Space Science and Engineering Center.

Students may seek assistance through the Dean of Students Office, 263-5700.

For help dealing with the aftermath of Tuesday’s events, consider contacting Counseling and Consultation Services, 905 University Ave., 265-5600.

The service, run by University Health Services, is open 8:30 am-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday.