Dear Faculty,

The anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 will occur on
Wednesday of our second week of classes.  Officially, the college will
be open that day and classes will meet as scheduled.  At the request
of  Governor Pataki, we ask that faculty teaching that morning 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 were killed.

The day may be traumatic for many of us and for our students.
Therefore, we hope than 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 September 11.)  Moreover, despite the fact that the college is
officially open, we anticipate the possibility of many absences and ask
faculty to treat absence and lateness on September 11 with flexibility
and not to schedule examinations that day.  The faculty's sensitivity to
student needs last  year was deeply appreciated by many.

In addition to observing the four minutes of silence, we will be setting
up several large-screen televisions in each building for members of
the college community who would like to monitor the memorial events
planned throughout the city.  Last year, in the days following
September 11, the college erected a "Wall of Feelings" and invited
those who wanted to do so to express themselves in writing.  Many did
and the result was very moving.  This year we will reinstall that "Wall"
in the area leading to the food court of the Vertical Campus, along with
a large strip of paper that is blank.  All members of the campus
community are invited to contribute to this new "Wall of Healing."

Counselors will be available to talk with members of the community
throughout the day.  The Counseling Center will be open until 7:30 pm
(137 East 25th Street, Room 927; 646-312-2155), the multipurpose
room on the first floor also will house counselors (turn left after
entering at 25th Street), as will the Career Development Center
(Vertical Campus, Room 2-150; 646-312-4670).

Other on-campus remembrances are planned for September 11.
They will be announced via posters and handouts that day.  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,
Dennis Slavin
Associate Provost
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