Click here to bypass page layout and jump directly to story.=


UC Berkeley


University of California

Campus News

Berkeley








NEWS SEARCH



NEWS HOME


ARCHIVES


EXTRAS


MEDIA
RELATIONS

  Press Releases

  Image Downloads

  Contacts


  

 
September 11: Messages from University of California, Berkeley, Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl and University of California President Richard Atkinson

11 September 2001

A Message from Chancellor Berdahl:

I am shocked and greatly saddened by the tragic events today in New York and Washington, D.C. I know that you join me in expressing our deepest sympathy for the families and friends who have lost loved ones today. There may be no day in our recent history in which this nation has felt a greater loss. At this moment, we must come together to provide each other with comfort and caring support.

The campus will remain open. If you feel that you cannot remain at work, please contact your supervisor. Supervisors are encouraged to provide maximum flexibility to accommodate individual employees' needs and circumstances. Counselors from the Tang Center are available to assist students and other campus community members. In addition, the health services' web site includes helpful guidance on dealing with traumatic situations.

I encourage faculty and staff to support students and one another during this extraordinarily difficult period. I also encourage all students to turn to faculty, administrators and campus staff for support at this time. Students in residence halls should seek the assistance of staff there who will help organize conversations and support groups about today's events.

The most reliable source of campus information as events unfold will be found on the UC Berkeley home page.

Robert M. Berdahl
Chancellor
(11 September)

Full text of President Atkinson's statement:

I know that all of you are shocked, as I am, by the terrible tragedies that have occurred today in New York and Washington, D.C., and that many of you have friends and family in those regions.

The University will remain open, though I am informed that all but essential operations at the Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos national laboratories have been closed for today by the Department of Energy.

I am asking the chancellors to encourage supervisors and managers to provide maximum flexibility to accommodate the individual needs and circumstances of employees. I also am encouraging the chancellors to ensure that counseling and psychological support services are available to members of the University community.

We are making every effort to ensure the security of our students, staff and faculty at all campuses, medical centers, national laboratories and Education Abroad centers.The personal safety of all members of the University of California community is uppermost in our minds.

This week's meeting of the Board of Regents has been cancelled.

Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones in today's horrific tragedies. We will provide additional information about the University's response to these developments as it becomes available.

Richard C. Atkinson
President
(11 September)