Special Edition

Americans watched with horror as a deadly terrorist attack was executed against the United States. Images that are too horrible to consider were played out over and over again on our television screens. On campuses across the country, students, faculty, staff and administrators glued themselves to TVs in order to get as much information as possible. Today, campuses try to reestablish "normalcy." In order to help you and your fellow staff members deal with the after-affects of this national tragedy, the editors at PaperClip Communications have put together a brief list of issues that some campus community members may need help addressing.

The Loss of a Sense of Security

The classic result of a terrorist attack is the sense that your security is threatened. In fact, many point to this as a goal of terrorists. In the aftermath of this recent tragedy, a sense of fear may be causing students to change their behaviors and alter their ways of life. So, when counseling students, work to restore their personal sense of safety and help them put these events in perspective.

However, it’s also important that you not paint an unrealistic picture -- our students are adults who deserve the truth. For instance, it’s a fact that large institutions can be considered potential targets for terrorists. Allay these types of fears by stressing to students the extensive security available on campus. And encourage students to be proactive by reporting people, incidents or events that are out of the ordinary. If students feel unsafe, they should try to stay with other students and avoid prolonged periods of isolation. Most importantly, if a sense of anxiety or hopelessness continues, encourage students to seek campus counseling. Make sure that they know how to access these services, from the counseling center to campus ministry, so that they can seek out a counseling situation to fit their needs. And provide forums for groups of students to talk about how they’re feeling -- many may need to process these terrible events in order to make some sort of sense.

Heightened Awareness of Race, Religion and Nationality

At the time of this report, there was no definitive information on who was responsible for the attack on the U.S. However, the media and indeed many political spokespeople have pointed to terrorists with Islamic Fundamentalist beliefs. The national consciousness also associates terrorism with Middle Eastern states. The result can be a backlash against people living in the U.S. who might share ethnic, geographic or religious similarities with those groups who are suspected of carrying out these attacks. In fact during time of crises, many people become suspicious of anyone who does not appear to be a "real American."

This is an important time for campus administrators to help students understand that there are many kinds of Americans. Emphasize the point that belonging to a religious group does not necessarily mean sharing political views with others of that same group. And point out the fact that, within a religion, there are varying levels of belief and radicalism. In other words, it is important for students not to jump to conclusions about those members of the college community who may follow the Islamic faith. Or to jump to conclusions about those community members who hail from a Middle Eastern country. Only the terrorists can and should be held accountable for this act.

Fear for Family, Friends and Others

At the time of this report, there were no reliable figures available on how many perished as a result of the September 11th attacks on the U.S. However, it is certain that the casualty figures will be very high. In fact, many members of your community may be waiting for word about family, friends, and acquaintances that are missing. The anxiety over not knowing may last weeks and perhaps even months. This kind of prolonged stress can cause anyone to experience a significant emotional breakdown. So, it is important for campus administrators to determine if there are any community members who are waiting to hear about a loved one who is feared missing or dead. Special care needs to be taken of these community members as they await some sort of news.

Fear of Travel/ Homesickness

Since commercial airliners were used as weapons and since those airliners were hijacked, you may find that some students are now frightened to use mass transportation because they fear a repeat incident. Again, it’s important not to create a false sense of security. However, remind students that this tragedy will result in newer, improved security measures. Procedures will be put into place to do everything possible to prevent a similar tragedy.

You might also find that some students are experiencing a special kind of homesickness. There is a tendency, when we experience tragedy, to want to return to our home. It is a place that feels safe. However, some students simply may not be able to return home (especially with the disruption to air travel). The feeling that they can’t return home may heighten the anxiety level for some students. Do everything possible to calm these students, relax them and remind them that campus is their extended home.

Demonstrations and Gatherings

This tragedy has already inspired some students to plan gatherings, memorials or demonstrations. These are generally positive ways to channel their energy and emotion. However, proactive efforts need to be made to ensure that public gatherings do not grow out of control and endanger the general community. Campus administrators should work closely with students groups and explain their concerns about demonstrations turning ugly. Working with students will help to ensure a powerful, productive, peaceful show of solidarity and resolve.

Conclusion

There is no manual on how college administrators should deal with this level of attack and this level of tragedy. In fact, the entire course of events is unprecedented in American history. Perhaps the best advice for campus professionals is to simply remember the most basic element of student development – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. These terrorist attacks have attacked your students’ very basic need for a sense of safety and security. Rebuilding upon this need may be the best place for student affairs professionals to begin. From PaperClip Communications, September 12, 2001 (Reprinted with permission)