Subject: September 11, 2003


Dear Colleagues,

The anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 will occur on Thursday.
The college will be open that day and classes will meet as scheduled.  Faculty
teaching that morning might like to observe one minute of silence at the following
times:  8:46 (the time of the attack on the north tower), 9:03 (the attack on the
south tower), 9:59 (the collapse of the south tower), and 10:29 (the collapse of the
north tower).  The precise minute matters less than that there be time set aside to
remember the almost 3,000 people who lost their lives.  Observing a moment of
silence is voluntary and at the discretion of each instructor; those who choose to
observe should announce their intention to do so at the beginning of their classes.

The day may be traumatic for many of us and for our students.  Therefore, we hope
that any faculty who would like to take time in class to explore thoughts and feelings
about the attacks and their aftermath will feel free to do so.
(http://www.teaching9-11.org/  is one of several sites on the web that provides links
to resources/issues related to the attacks.)  Moreover, despite the fact that the
college is officially open, we anticipate the possibility of some absences and ask
faculty to treat absence and lateness on  September 11 with flexibility.  The faculty’s
sensitivity to student needs last year and  in 2001 was deeply appreciated by many.

All TV monitors in the Vertical Campus will stay tuned to coverage of the services at
ground zero and related programming for the balance of the day.  The student
government  and clubs will be holding other related activities.  It is likely that most
student events  will occur during club hours and will not conflict with normally
scheduled academic activities.

We hope that everyone will work together to insure that our observance of this
difficult  anniversary is an occasion for serious reflection and a deeper sense of
community.

Sincerely,
David Dannenbring, Provost
Dennis Slavin, Associate Provost