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HEADLINE NEWS ITEM
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News Bureau 
Schofield Hall 201 Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
fax: (715) 836-2900
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Message to UW-Eau
Claire Faculty and Staff
From: Chancellor Donald Mash
Faculty, Staff, Students Offer Support |
September 24, 2001
Nearly two weeks have passed since the horrific terrorist
attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. While the people of those cities
are struggling, it’s obvious that the acts of kindness and compassion shown by
people from throughout the country have brought them great comfort during their
most difficult days.
I am proud – but not surprised – that the students,
faculty and staff of UW-Eau Claire are among the many people reaching out to
those directly affected by this national tragedy.
Members of our campus community have given blood and
donated money. They have organized fund-raising events to gather dollars to be
donated to worthy causes, as well as vigils to show their sympathy for the
victims, their families and the rescue workers. They’ve sent messages of
support to the firefighters, police officers and other volunteer rescue workers.
Campus counselors have offered immediate support to students, faculty and staff
directly affected by the attacks. Our student leaders have worked with faculty,
clergy and others to provide opportunities for the campus community to discuss
the attacks in meaningful and structured ways. Classes were canceled for an
afternoon, giving students and employees time to privately reflect and/or
participate in community and campus gatherings. Some of our students used that
time to be with their families. And our faculty and staff have stepped forward
to try to help the campus and Eau Claire communities better understand the very
complex issues that surround the events of recent weeks.
As we move into the uncertain and trying weeks ahead,
it’s more important than ever that we continue to come together as a
community. We must not allow the tragedy to divide us or to cause us to act
without reason, understanding and compassion.
Throughout the country, there have been an increasing
number of reports of hatred, anger and physical abuse being directed at members
of different social or ethnic groups. UW-Eau Claire has 150 international
students on our campus this semester, students who have come here from countries
from throughout the world. We must remember – and remind others – that these
students are as horrified by the attacks on our country as are other members of
the campus community. They, too, are outraged, saddened and at a loss to explain
such senseless acts of violence.
We at UW-Eau Claire are all part of a single campus
community – regardless of our social or ethnic backgrounds. We must respect
and support one another, particularly during a time of national crisis. The
terrorists used their hatred of America to justify destroying the lives of
thousands of innocent people. If we turn against people on our campus or in our
communities, we too are using hatred to justify attacks on innocent people. We
must not allow ourselves to respond to hatred with hatred.
If you experience or witness acts of harassment on
campus, contact the Center for International Education or the Provost’s
Office. We must work together to ensure that all members of our university
community feel safe and welcome on our campus.
As a university, we will continue to offer all members of
our community the support we need as we try to move forward. Toward that end, we
are encouraging the creation of opportunities for discussion about the terrorist
attacks and the acts of retaliation that are likely to follow. In the days,
weeks and months ahead, we must use our hearts, our minds and our consciences as
we think about how we will spend our time in and out of the classroom.
-- Chancellor Donald Mash
News Bureau]
Judy Berthiaume
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu
Updated: Sept. 24, 2001
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