September 2001
Knox Reaches Out: Campus and Community Events
From President Roger Taylor
As a close-knit, residential campus, we believe in our community's ability to support and encourage each other, when we face tragedies of the magnitude of the terrorist attacks on Tuesday, Sept. 11. To that end, we have decided to continue with scheduled activities, including classes and extracurricular activities. Faculty and staff are encouraged to facilitate discussions during this difficult time. We believe that the classroom is a valuable venue for students and faculty to share their reactions and concerns. Many co-curricular activities also will go on, with the same belief that gatherings of various sorts are useful in sorting through our tumultuous emotions.
This is a difficult time for our country and the Knox community, and we are sensitive to the fact that people will have complex and conflicting emotions. Knox College will continue to support and encourage our community in the days ahead.
—Roger Taylor, Interim President
Sept. 14, 2001
For those away from campus, here is a summary of activities and services:
- Vigils on campus and in the community. Pictured above (larger version) is a community vigil on Sept 18, at which one of the speakers was Sahar Zaidi, a Knox student from Pakistan and President of the Islamic Club. (Full text of Sahar Zaidi's remarks) Photo below is a prayer vigil held on the Gizmo Patio on Sept. 14, when the college rang the Old Main bell as part of the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance declared by President Bush.
- Panel Discussion on terrorism with the Political Science faculty, joined by the president of the Islamic Club.
- Victim Benefits
Organizations or individuals who would like to make donations to benefit the victims of terrorism can contact any of the following on the Knox campus: Tricia Hurst in the Office of Student Activities, thurst@knox.edu, 309-341-7303; or students Mayank Anand manand@knox.edu; Chickoo Rao mrao@knox.edu 341-8179; and Vir Das vdas@knox.edu 341-8457.
- New York and Washington Alumni Chatrooms
Knox has set up a special area in the Knox Chatrooms section of the Knox Alumni Online Community, where alumni who have definite information about affected classmates and friends can post it. You can also check there to see whether any information is available.
To use the Knox Chatrooms, you must be a registered member of the Knox Alumni Online Community.
Those who are registered can link directly to the log in page. Those who would like to register should call us toll-free at 888-566-9265, for help in speeding up the registration process.
- International Travel
Knox has contacted all students in Besançon, France, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been assured of their safety. Students in the Japan Program left on Sept. 17, after their initial departure date was delayed.
- Counseling
Counselors will continue to be available for students who would like to discuss the tragedy. Contact Dan Larson, Director of Counseling, at ext. 7492.
