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)
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