The Stetson Reporter

wed sep-02 xi p I :*d http://reporter.stetson.edu e SPORTS* Men's soccer loses game to Flager page 5b © s_jl_e_j:_s_q_jj LLJC£_ijL^R-^s_jLX_y WHAT'S inside News 2a Opinions 4A LiFE IB Classifieds 2a Sports 5 b Etcetera 6a issue 3 volume 115 iFlorida's First private. College Newspaper | OPINIONS: Debate questions justification for War on Terrorism page 4a nivers 3.ll3.CKS PHOTO COURTESY GREATBUILDINGS.COM ^Reporter Contact Us 421 N. Woodland Blvd. #8409 DeLand, FL 32720-3751 ' 3S6.822.7224 FAX 386.822.7233 reporter^ stetson, edu reporter_newsfr? stetson.edu opinions© stetson.edu life® stetson.edu etceteraf? stetson.edu sports.f/'s tetson.edu online'?? stetson.edu advertised* stetson.edu Suttedui® of.Events for Today 11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. Faculty Lounge opened for counseling with Counseling Center staff and Chaplain 12:00 p.m. Prayer Walk for the Nation sponsored by Baptist Collegiate Ministries. The walk starts outside of Allen Hall. 4:00 p.m. Interfaith service sponsored by the Chaplain's Office in Elizabeth Hall Auditorium 7:00 p.m. "How has the world changed since 9/11?" university colloquium in Rinker Auditorium of the Lynn Business Center By Amy Rigdon news editor Solely a year ago, the nation was attacked and wounded by terrorism. Those events left many in an indescribable state; some called it a state of shock. In the past year, this university, which also felt the impact, has re- dedicated itself to the values it has always supported, but now embraces. "Generically, the overall impact on this institution and the world is that we now realize how vulnerable we are as a nation and people. It's a sobering fact," said President Doug Lee. "The other thing that came forward is a reaffirmation to educate and integrate our commitment to values, not only our six core values, but also our commitment to be an inclusive community." While the events, of Sept. 11, 2001 unfolded, the university canceled classes for the day but remained open '^m^_„ and attainable for anyone who might have needed its services. ; "We have seen people look to the university for guidance; people can look to [the univer- sity] for rational i^^-^^. thought and rational actions," said Brian Miller, executive director of Marketing and Communications. "There are people here who can counsel and others who can explain the political side of the events." The.uniyersityjhas responded to last year's attacks insjmany ways~through curriculum, studtfit body, finances, and values. ;• "Education, besides faith, is.definitely a way to get through this," said vice president of Enrollment Deborah Thompson. "To get different perspectives, it calmed everyone's fears instead of getting totally scared about it. I do think the university helped." During the.previous academic year, the university underwent a major budget reduction in many departments due to the drop in economic performance throughout the nation. Lee said that the lack of performance in the market is not getting better, which can be seen in the forms of reductions in the university's budget. "There are a lot of things because of the economy that are slowing down on every front," said Lee. "[The university] had been in a-growth mode in the 90s, and this is going to have to be a stability and balance mode. I don't see any indication that the economy is going to recover soon, so we are reevaluating programs." Despite economic hardship, alumni continue to support the university with donations. "The one thing we haven't experienced reductions in is contributions. Last year was an all time high," said Lee. "There was a recom- " "" mitment by alumni to support the university with contributions including scholarships." The university was also affected positively in the aftermath of Sept. 11 in regards to the student body and curriculum. "Part of the change is to see what didn't happen here. You can see in the country some negative backlashes and the fact that we embraced [diversity] wasn't a problem for [the university]," said Miller. "We would not have the Muslim Student Organization on campus if we had not had Sept. 11. It was a needed response to events of 9.11 that encouraged those students to organize," said Chaplain Laura Walters Baskett. "There have been a good level of multi-disciplinary groups trying to help people understand the various impacts of 9.11." "[The 'university] has had a strong commitment to diversity and an inclusive community, but now it is a-personal'' commitment." "[The university] has had a strong commitment to diversity and an inclusive community, but now it is a personal commitment," said Lee. "[The university] did not respond with prejudice and hate. Sept. 11 has taught us what a diverse nation we really are. [The university] is not diverse enough to experience New York on campus, but we embraced diversity." In light of the attacks of Sept. 11, the curriculum has added various courses to address the contemporary issue of terrorism and religious violence. The Religious Studies Department offers two courses dealing with these topics this semester. In addition to the courses, a new lecture series, Peace, Violence, and Religion, has been created and is scheduled to bring five lecturers to campus this semester. "A small silver lining is that it provided an opportunity for our students to set up and lead things and become activists," said Miller. "It provided a catalyst for students to ^-_^^»«^, grow in ways they may not have been growing." While many wonder how the; media and nation will react to the anniversary of Sept. 11, some in the uni- versity are concen- ~~-***~**8isBa trating on possible : multifarious reactions from the student body. "Life is much back to normal for us," said Miller. "We are at war, but not one that affects us." •■ "Sept. 11 made us feel extremely vulnerable. Now we are calm and collected^ butIKe"anniversary' will.rip . open that visage, and I expect it will be an opportunity to address that vulnerability again," said Walters Baskett. "Since it is the beginning of school, it is difficult to judge where folks are. We do want to have the opportunity to gather folks together on Sept. 11 as a way to continue to make meaning out of the events a year ago." There are various.events occurring today to commemorate Sept. 11, 2001. Walters Baskett said she is trying to arrange that the Victory Bell in the Hollis Center be rung at the times that the airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center towers. The faculty lounge in the Carlton Union Building will be open for meditation from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and the Counseling Center staff and Chaplain will be present. . ' . •' , At noon, Baptist Collegiate Ministries is sponsoring a prayer walk for the nation starting at Allen Hall. The Chaplain's Office is sponsoring an interfaith service at 4:00 p.m. in the Elizabeth Hall Chapel. At 7:00 p.m. tonight in the Rinker Auditorium of the Lynn Business Center, a university colloquium is designed to offer faculty expertise on the topic "How has the world changed since 9/ 11?" "Because [this university] is a missions- and values- driven institution, we have a missionary zeal to promote human life. We think our purpose for being here is more important than ever," said Lee. "I think those two _—.— themes of dev- """*"*'" ~" astation and vul nerability and commitment and values balance each other out. It's a very sobering environment." The naturalization ceremony, where immigrants are sworn in as United States citizens, this year will be in Elizabeth Hall on Sept. 12, 2002. Lee said that the university decided to proceed with the ceremony last year after Sept. 11, which made.it a very emotional but very positive event. Amy Rigdon can be contacted at [email protected]. "Education, besides faith, is definitely a way to get through this. To get different perspectives, it calmed everyone's fears instead of getting totally scared about it. I do think the university helped." ] x^ ■Z, ■-..■ -^.^ X^.'yX-X „..-!.... AXX :■*•-,-'•> v...- ■■^:L.*.-..--..y.'-~^-,...{...^...x.^*,<^^ :',.s.- iAy-sZ'.&.tsmZ^iSiJ^MlWS&wZM. i'^#.^V^'Xv;'l--S.'fet-:^ ----■'■■1 1'-,.-:...,.,-.vl:.*-:,S.-»i*.;l^:*.J.^.. T;;--,; I&.^W-Si ,. _ ...... ,.'~: