University responds to us tragedy

Students, faculty and staff try to help each other make sense of the terrorist attacks on New York

by Judith Walker staff writer
from extended hours at the university's Counselling Office, to collection jars at AMSfood outlets, campus discussions at the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues, and a university gathering for all faculty, staff and students on the Main Mall lawn, the university community has, individually and collectively, responded to last week's attacks in the us. The Counselling Office remained open last weekend for students, staff and faculty who wanted to discuss their reactions, and is open for extended hours during the week. Cheryl Washburn, director of Counselling Services, said the services are being used "consistently, and certainly more than usual" as people deal with the tragedy. Residence Life Managers and staff at International House were also available for students who wanted to gather and talk.

At the annual Alma Mater Society (ams) Welcome Back Barbecue held Sept. 14, a sombre note was added with the presence of a donation booth staffed by the Red Cross for contributions to a relief fund. Donations will be collected by the AMS at its campus food outlets, and will then be forwarded to the Red Cross.

A university gathering was set for Sept. 18 on the Main Mall. It was jointly initiated by the AMS, Graduate Students Society and the university's employee groups to give members of the university community the chance to sign a book of condolences for delivery to the us Consulate in Vancouver.

On Sept. 14 the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues quickly organized a special event that drew more than 200 students, faculty and staff to discuss the implications of the tragedy.

National and local reporters turned to UBCfaculty members for information and commentary on terrorism, post-traumatic stress, structural engineering, international business, armed conflict, airlines and other topics connected to the event. On the day of the attacks, UBC's Public Affairs office received five times the usual number of media calls.

Students, staff and faculty found the latest campus developments on the university's Web site at www.ubc.ca. The site received more than 10 times the usual traffic compared to the previous week.