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As our nation and this campus continue to experience the aftereffects of the Sept. 11 tragedy, I think it is worth reviewing how the University is responding to the demands that these new times place on us. I am very proud of the work we have done over the last several weeks. We have continued to offer students the firstrate education and academic support services they came here to receive. We have worked hard and, I believe, effectively to keep communication flowing. And we have maintained the positive spirit in which we first came together after the attacks. Below you will find a muchabbreviated summary of the array of activities the University has undertaken to maintain an open, informed, safe environment for faculty, staff and students. You will also find information on practical matters such as handling of military duty. Once again, this campus is demonstrating how exceptionally well it comes together in times of crisis.
Robert A. Corrigan
President
Keeping the campus informed:
Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, we began an allout effort to keep the campus well informed of our response to events as they unfolded. That evening I met with hundreds of residence hall students. Since that time members of the campus community have come together on numerous occasions. I have sent several messages directly to faculty, staff and students via email. I have also used CampusMemo to share my thoughts and goals for the campus as we navigate this difficult time.
In addition, we used the Web as a central communications tool. By Sept. 12, the Communications Response Team created a special section on the University's home page, titled ÒCampus Responds to National Tragedy,Ó to keep the campus updated and unified in the midst of the tragedy. The Web site has been updated regularly and now includes information on opportunities to help the recovery effort, upcoming events, campus resources, tips on safe mail handling procedures, my messages and faculty experts who are available to comment to the media. We will continue to use the Web to offer you the most uptodate information we have available as world events unfold.
'Love' message helps unite campus:
During the Sept. 14 memorial service in the Washington National Cathedral, I was struck by the words of The Right Rev. Jane Holmes Dixon, bishop of Washington: "Love is stronger than hate." I found in those words a spirit that can sustain us in the days to come. We have placed that message on banners across campus, on Tshirts sold in the SFSU Bookstore, on my stationery, on SFSU's home page and in each issue of CampusMemo.
As many of you know, our campus too suffered losses in the attacks. Mauricio Gonzalez, soninlaw of Deborah vanDommelen, director of the Learning Assistance Center, was lost in the World Trade Center. Alumnus Gerald Fisher (B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, '66), died in the attack on the Pentagon. Fisher, a consultant, was attending a conference at the Pentagon on ways to improve benefits to families of military personnel. New York firefighter Christian Regenhard, who studied art and wr iting at SFSU from 1998 to 1999, was still a probationary firefighter when he lost his life in the rescue efforts at the Twin Towers. Our deepest sympathies go out to all who knew and loved them. Return to top
As many of you know, our campus too suffered losses in the attacks. Mauricio Gonzalez, soninlaw of Deborah vanDommelen, director of the Learning Assistance Center, was lost in the World Trade Center. Alumnus Gerald Fisher (B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, '66), died in the attack on the Pentagon. Fisher, a consultant, was attending a conference at the Pentagon on ways to improve benefits to families of military personnel. New York firefighter Christian Regenhard, who studied art and wr iting at SFSU from 1998 to 1999, was still a probationary firefighter when he lost his life in the rescue efforts at the Twin Towers. Our deepest sympathies go out to all who knew and loved them.
Donations and fund raising:
The campus is engaging in fundraising efforts for those most affected by the attacks:
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- The Bookstore earmarked 10 percent of total sales from Oct. 11 through Oct. 18 for Sept. 11related charities and raised $13,822. Food vendors from across campus also participated and raised more than $2,000. The Bookstore has sold 233 Tshirts emblazoned with the "Love is stronger than hate" design as of Oct. 30. Proceeds from the sales of the Tshirts will also be donated to charity.
- A special fund has been established to benefit Deborah vanDommelen's daughter Evan vanDommelen Gonzalez and 1yearold granddaughter Nina. More than $5,500 has been collected for Evan and Nina. To make a donation, call Karen Wiederholt at ext. 81994 or Nathalie Destandau at ext. 87445.
- The Political Science Department raised $120 during a twoweek period for the American Red Cross.
- Kappi Psi Epsilon, a sorority on campus, cosponsored "Love Beats: A Hope for Humanity Concert" Nov. 1 in Jack Adams Hall. Donations of $8 for students and $10 for the general public were taken at the door and the money raised was given to the Intergroup Clearinghouse, a Bay Area nonprofit organization that works to prevent hate crimes and promote tolerance.
Despite a climate of apprehension throughout our country, I am pleased that we have continued to cherish free speech while maintaining respect for the views, feelings and human dignity of others.
On the day following the attacks, I joined Academic Senate Chair Pamela Vaughn, Dean of Human Relations Ken Monteiro, Associated Students President Ronda NewtScott and others in speaking to several hundred members of the campus community at a rally in Malcolm X Plaza. Scores of students stepped forward over the next four hours to add their voices and feelings.
On that Thursday, members of the campus community turned out for a candlelight vigil in the courtyard of The Village at Centennial Square sponsored by Associated Students.
Working with our Office of Student Programs and Leadership Development, other groups have made their voices heard:
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- Sept. 19: Associated Students Peace Rally
- Sept. 27: Muslim Student Association Unity and Global Peace Rally
- Oct. 8: Students for Peace AntiWar Rally
- Oct. 9: Muslim Student Association Unity and Global Peace Rally
Our faculty members have responded admirably to current events, showing sensitivity to the needs of their students and changing curriculum and conducting class discussions where appropriate:
Some faculty members teaching international relations, philosophy and global peace studies have reported a sharp rise in enrollment and attendance since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Many faculty have incorporated world events into class lectures and discussions. For example, Jewish Studies Associate Professor Fred Astren has discussed the history of Islam and Judaism in relation to current events. Speech and Communication Studies Assistant Professor Rick Isaacson has discussed the government's use of propaganda. Ambassador David Fischer, professor of international relations, discussed the challenges of collecting information about terrorists in his class on intelligence gather ing and intelligence agencies. Michelle Wolf, professor of broadcast and electronic communication arts, and her students have explored the media's coverage of the events as a form of propaganda.
- The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences has received approval from the University Curriculum Review Committee to offer an international relations course in spring 2002 on covert political warfare and terrorism, taught by David Fischer. The College also plans to hire a new faculty member whose area of expertise is history and/or international relations and the Middle East.
Faculty members have also given generously of their time and expertise by participating in symposia and colloquia for the campus community:
- International Relations held a colloquium on terrorism Sept. 14 for an audience of nearly 100 graduate and undergraduate students. The event was broadcast in real time on the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Web site. An archived version of the symposium can be found at: bss.sfsu.edu/bss.
- The Asian American Studies Department, Philosophy Department and Radical Political Forum sponsored a teachin on U.S. foreign policy and terrorism Oct. 10.
- More events are coming up or are in the planning stages. See the separate box titled "Upcoming events" on page one for more information.
Academic Senate:
At its Oct. 9 meeting, the Academic Senate unanimously approved a resolution in response to the tragic events of Sept. 11. The resolution commended all members of the campus community who have provided extraordinary assistance in response to the events and condemned responses stigmatizing members of any religious, ethnic, racial or national group. Return to top
More than 20 faculty members were quoted in newspapers and featured on TV news and radio stations in the Bay Area and across the country in the weeks following the attacks. The experts were an important link in the effort to interpret the events of Sept. 11 for the general public. Return to top
The campus has been especially sensitive to the needs of our international students and scholars. In an Oct. 24 letter, I assured them that they are safe and welcome here and urged them to let us know if they experienced problems. Two more points of interest about our international community:
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- While other college campuses have experienced the departure of international students following the Sept. 11 attacks, the Office of International Programs is not aware of any international students at SFSU who have left.
- The 2,005 international students currently studying at SFSU come from 107 countries. The top 10 countries of origin are Japan, Taiwan, The People's Republic of China, Indonesia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Sweden and Turkey.
The Office of Human Relations provided resources for faculty and staff to help others talk about and deal with the tragedy. A memo that provided suggestions on how to conduct an open, respectful, hate speechfree discussion of the attacks was sent out to faculty and reprinted in CampusMemo. Additional resources were put together on a Web site ( www.sfsu.edu/~ohr/resourceLinks.html#sfsulinks) including information on how to handle hate inci dents. Working with Public Safety and the Office of Student Programs and Leadership Development, Human Relations provided training for all student groups on how to handle student programs during this difficult time.
Counseling and Psychological Services:
Counseling and Psychological Services has seen a significant increase in individuals seeking assistance for the first time and in related distress among some individuals already receiving counseling before Sept. 11. Complaints concerning depression have increased 18 percent, complaints about anxiety in general have increased 36 percent, and more specific types of worry are on the rise. During the week following the attacks, Counseling and Psychological Services extended its hours, adding dropin sessions to help faculty, staff and students cope with the tragedies. If you would like to meet privately with a counselor, call ext. 82208.
When the anthrax threat arose in midOctober, we shared with the campus community instructions on how to handle mail including precautions and suspicious signs. That information is available online at: www.sfsu.edu/response/mail.htm. The Department of Human Resources, Department of Public Safety and Environmental Health and Occupational Safety provided hourlong, mailhandling training sessions to more than 500 employees on Oct. 18 and 19.
We are taking other precautions as well. All mail delivered to the campus mailroom is being scanned by an Xray machine similar to that used at airports. SFSU is the only CSU campus with such equipment. The scanner detects substances, solid materials and hard and metal objects. While mail has been scanned for years, as part of the recent heightened security efforts, Public Safety officers now operate the scanners. In addition, Public Safety maintains portable Xray equipment that can be used anywhere on c ampus. Return to top
Public Safety has responded to three reports of white powdery substances on campus. All of the substances were common, everyday substances (talcum powder, sugar) and tested negative for anthrax. Return to top
The University provided information to the FBI after receiving a subpoena for one student's records. The FBI has investigated student records at 11 CSU campuses: San Francisco, San Bernardino, Long Beach, Dominguez Hills, Maritime Academy, San Diego, Sacramento, Fullerton, Fresno, Pomona and Long Beach. Return to top
Students called to military service:
CSU campuses are authorized to approve a leave of absence for students called for military duty. Students called to military service may withdraw from courses throughout the term without restriction or penalty and will be provided a full refund of tuition fees (nonresident tuition excluded). They are guaranteed registration rights for subsequent terms without reapplying for admission. Students and other reservists who have federal educational loans will not be expected to make payments while on active d uty. Additional information can be found at: www.calstate.edu/PA/News/Military.shtml. Return to top
Faculty/staff called to military service:
Eligible faculty and staff who are called up for military service will receive their normal CSU salary for up to 30 calendar days. Following their military service, employees retain reinstatement rights to employment. Check with the Human Resources Office on campus for details. The entire CSU military leave policy can be found at: www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/2001pages/2001hrmemo.shtml. Return to top
Antiterrorism legislation affecting universities:
President Bush signed into law the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001 on Oct. 26. Provisions likely to impact colleges and universities are:
- Privacy of student records: amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA) Act to permit institutions to disclose education records to federal law enforcement officials without student consent based on certain requirements.
- Access to National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) survey information: permits federal law officials to collect student information from the NCES.
- Monitoring of foreign students: calls for full implementation of and expansion to all foreign students (other than those who hold immigrant visas) existing laws that permit federal agencies to collect from colleges and universities information about foreign students (name, address, enrollment status, etc.). New INS information requests to colleges and universities are likely.
- Voluntary disclosure of electronic communications or records: permits an Internet or electronic communications provider to disclose information about a customer (which may include students, faculty members or staff) if it receives information that the customer is involved in a situation involving immediate danger of death or serious injury.
- Required disclosure of electronic communications or records: permits government officials to seek stored voicemail messages without wiretap authorization.
- Electronic surveillance: expands law enforcement's authority to intercept wire, oral and electronic communications that relate to terrorism and computer fraud and abuse.
- Biological agents and toxins: punishes by fine and/or with up to 10 years imprisonment for knowingly possessing a biological agent, toxin or delivery system not reasonably justified by a research or other peaceful purpose.
Students and faculty members continue to organize various events around campus in wake of the terrorist attacks.
- The Poetry Center will sponsor a reading and open discussion on Afghanistan: 7:30 p.m. today, the Unitarian Center, 1187 Franklin St., San Francisco. (See page 3 for details.)
- The Associated Students Women's Center will sponsor a talk by Tahmeena Faryal, a member of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan: 1 p.m. Tuesday in Jack Adams Hall of the Cesar Chavez Student Center. (See page 3 for details.)
- The Academic Senate will hold an open session on the status of the campus after Sept. 11: 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Nob Hill Room of the Seven Hills Conference Center. (See page 3 for details.)
- Students for Peace will hold an Anti-War Rally: Malcolm X Plaza. For more information, call the Office of Student Programs and Leadership Development at ext. 8-3888.
- International Relations will sponsor a talk by Jeff Laurenti, executive director of policy studies of the United Nations Association-USA, on the United Nations and its response to terrorism: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, in HSS 362. (See page 4 for details.)
- I and others will meet with SFSU international students and scholars in a special reception which marks the beginning of SFSU's International Education Week celebration: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, in the Vista Room.
- The Institute for Holistic Healing Studies, Students for Peace and the Associated Students Women's Center will sponsor a discussion on Exploring Violence, War and the Search for Peace: Wednesday, Nov. 14, and Thursday, Nov.15. For more information, call ext. 8-6416 or ext. 8-1210.
- A teach-in will be held on Post-Traumatic Stress: Managing the Impact: Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in HSS 306.
- A teach-in will be held on Economic Centralization, Poverty and Violence: Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in HSS 306:
- The Academic Senate is helping plan a series of campus colloquia on issues growing out of the Sept. 11 attacks.
This Week
Melanie Kaye-Kantrowitz, the second candidate for the Goldman Chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility, will be on campus today to present her scholarly work. Her presentation, ÒTo Be A Radical Jew in the Early 21st Century: A Progressive Jewish Perspective on Race,Ó will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room 1 of the University Club. Kantrowitz is director of the Worker Education Center at Queens College of the City University of New York. Return to top
Reading, discussing Afghanistan
The Poetry Center will sponsor a reading and open discussion on Afghanistan at 7:30 p.m. today at the Unitarian Center, 1187 Franklin St. (at Geary). The free event will feature authors who write poetry, fiction and nonfiction about Afghanistan and the Afghan peoples. For details, contact Steve Dickison at ext. 8-3401 or steved@sfsu.edu. Return to top
Warriors mascot, cheerleaders visit campus
Thunder, the mascot of the Golden State Warriors, and the Warrior Girls will be on campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in Malcolm X Plaza. Thunder and the Warrior Girls will sign autographs and offer discount tickets to a Nov. 14 game against the Toronto Raptors and a Nov. 20 game against the New York Knicks. Return to top
Tahmeena Faryal, a member of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, will speak about the lack of full human rights for women in Afghanistan at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Jack Adams Hall in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. No cameras or recording devices will be allowed into Jack Adams Hall. Backpacks will be subject to search.
The talk is sponsored by the Associated Students Women's Center. For details, call ext. 82486 or email women@sfsu.edu. Return to top
The Academic Senate meets at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Nob Hill Room of Seven Hills Conference Center. Agenda items include a report from University Provost Thomas LaBelle; a report from the University Sabbatical Committee; a summary of proposed changes to the interdisciplinary digital arts certificate program; proposed membership additions to the University Committee on Written English Proficiency; and an open meeting and discussion on the pulse of the campus after Sept. 11. Return to top
Faculty and staff are asked to encourage students to attend the Behavioral and Social Science Career Fair held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in Jack Adams Hall in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. A wide variety of employers will be available to answer questions concerning job openings, internships and general career information. Students are encouraged to bring a resume and prepare to network. Return to top
The College of Humanities colloquium series continues with Karen Lovaas, assistant professor of speech and communication studies, presenting "The Pedagogy of Hope." Lovaas will speak from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in HUM 587. Return to top
Regional decisionmaking in Calif.
Richard LeGates, professor of urban studies, will present "The Region is the Frontier: Collaborative Regional Decisionmaking for 21st Century California as part of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Speaker Series from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in HSS 361
Next Week
The Board of Directors will meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Verducci Room of the University Club. Return to top
A memorial for Wolf Stadler, professor of engineering, will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the University Club. If you plan to attend, contact Shy-Shenq Liou at ext. 8-1228 or ssl@sfsu.edu. Return to top
Chernoff's intimate look at writing
The final fall event in the College of Humanities Colloquia will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in HUM 587. Maxine Chernoff, chair of creative writing, will speak on "'I Take My Waking Slow': An Intimate Look at the Writing Process." Chernoff's book of poetry "World" (Salt Editions: Cambridge, England) will be published this fall.
History of the gentleman's magazine
Bill Christmas, professor of English, will offer a colloquium with slides on "The Gentleman's Magazine" from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in HUM 203. The presentation is part of a colloquium series on the history of the book sponsored by the Department of English, the Graduate Literature Association and the Friends of the J. Paul Leonard Library. Refreshments will be served.SFSU celebrates International Education Week Nov.12-16
SFSU will celebrate international education week, Monday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 16, with a variety of activities and events. Below are events that may be of interest to the entire campus community. For details and a complete schedule of events contact the Office of International Programs at ext. 81293 or oip@sfsu.edu. Return to top
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will show a series of international films from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 16, at its Multimedia Center, HUM 404. Many of the nations from which SFSU draws international students and scholars will be represented. No reservations are necessary. For details, call Xiaosu Li at ext. 81662 or Midori McKeon at 87413. Return to top
The U.N. and the fight against terrorism
Jeffrey Laurenti, executive director of policy studies at the United Nations AssociationUSA, will speak on "The United Nations and the Fight Against Terrorism" from 9:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, in HSS 362. For details, call the International Relations Department at ext. 81448. Return to top
A screening of "Baraka" by Ron Fricke and "Koyaanisqati" by Godfrey Reggio will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, in Coppola Theater, FA 101. The film screening is sponsored by the Office of International Programs, the International Education Exchange Council and the Cinema Department. For details, call ext. 81293. Return to top
International students and scholars and study abroad alumni will give presentations and answer questions about countries from around the world. The country panels will be held throughout the day from Tuesday, Nov. 13, through Thursday, Nov. 15, in the Rosa Parks Conference Room in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. For a complete schedule, call ext. 81293. Return to top
Meet and socialize with international students and study abroad alumni at an international coffee hour at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 , and Thursday, Nov. 15, in the Rosa Parks Conference Room in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. Free coffee and cookies from around the world will be served. Return to top
CampusMemo ArchiveThe Japanese Program and the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will hold an authentic Japanese tea ceremony from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Japanese Tea Room, HUM 117. Japanese "maccha" green tea and sweets will be served, free of charge. To make a reservation, call Midori McKeon at ext. 87413. Return to top
To send events: call EXT 8-1665 or send e-mail to pubnews@sfsu.edu
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