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FIU community responds to America's
crisis
It was a day of successive nightmares beyond
anyone's imagination, a series of unprecedented moments and images
that have forever changed our nation and the FIU community.
September 11, 2001, is a day that will remain forever etched in
the memories of all those who lived through it. Throughout the morning,
the Media Relations Office, where a bank of televisions and VCRs
record media coverage of the University, was filled with employees
and students watching the attacks on the World Trade Center and
Pentagon in shocked disbelief. Comparable scenes took place throughout
the University. In the coming days, many members of the FIU community
learned of the loss of family or friends as a result of the events.
The FIU community immediately responded to the tragedy with activities
to mourn the victims, help those in need and mobilize for the future,
including blood drives, memorial gatherings and psychological services.
Before noon on the 11th, already being called another "day
of infamy" in U.S. history, FIU President Maidique released
a statement on the national tragedy and announced the immediate
closing of the University. Flags at the campuses were lowered to
half-mast. By the next day, a flurry of activities were in motion.
The University's Health Care and Wellness Center hosted an emergency
blood drive at FIU-University Park, and hundreds of students and
faculty rolled up their sleeves and answered the call. Subsequent
blood drives were scheduled for both campuses. FIU Counseling and
Psychological Services Centers were accessible throughout the day
and evening, and health professionals with the Employee Assistance
Program were also available. The Academy for the Art of Teaching
provided faculty, via univmail, with an outline that offered guidance
in leading classes the day after the tragedy. All the University's
athletic events were cancelled for the week. A host of student organizations
have been raising funds for relief efforts.
President Maidique issued a universitywide email discouraging unwarranted
responses against Arab or Muslim fellow students, colleagues and
other members of the University community, noting the "diversity
that makes this University and this nation strong."
The Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies,
the Transnational and Comparative Studies Center, and the Center
for Leadership Development and Civic Responsibility organized a
teach-in and roundtable discussion on terrorism.
Several ceremonies also were held to honor those lost in the attacks.
A candlelight vigil was held at Biscayne Bay Campus and memorial
services were held on both campuses. At the University Park event,
attended by a standing-room-only crowd of more than 600, words of
comfort and patriotic hymns highlighted the service, which concluded
outside with the release of hundreds of red, white and blue helium
balloons in memory of those who perished. "I think these tragic
deaths occurred so all of us, all of the nations of the world, can
be free of terrorism," President Maidique said, foretelling
the historic international campaign against terrorism that is now
unfolding.
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