WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Diversity Resource Office has canceled the last in a series of biweekly conversations regarding the terrorist attacks and their aftermath.
Across the United States, reports of people fearing exposure to anthrax through the mail have increased. Those concerns prompted university officials to issue guidelines for dealing with threats involving anthrax, or other biological agents or chemicals.
Leaders from more than 35 student organizations also are at work across campus raising money for American Red Cross' relief efforts.
In response to several recent bomb threats on campus, the university also has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved with recent bomb threats on campus. The university has put in place a plan to redirect classes from evacuated buildings to safer areas so academics are disrupted as little as possible.
At the university's Prayer and Remembrance Service Sept. 14 in Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue President Martin C. Jischke called on the campus community to "dedicate ourselves to a better tomorrow." The service ended in song, including "God Bless America." as a 77-foot-wide American flag was unfurled.
Earlier that week, the university community also came together in several ways - with a public forum, a candlelight vigil attended by 5,000 people, and yellow ribbons - to look for answers and begin healing.
At the service Friday, September 14, Jischke noted:
"America is not alone in this loss. The United Kingdom, Japan and Australia lost dozens of their citizens Tuesday in the World Trade Centers of New York.
"The world joins together in mourning - Palestinians have placed flowers outside our embassy. In Moscow, and across Europe , 800 million were asked to pause in silent remembrance. In London, the Queen ordered a military band to play 'The Star Spangled Banner.' In Frankfort, Germany, a carpet of red flowers formed a U.S. flag outside the city opera house."
Jischke also said part of Purdue's strength lies in its international richness:
"Purdue's greatness grows from the rich tapestry of its community. We come from different regions, different nations, different faiths, philosophies, customs, and dress. We are different. But we are one - in our commitment to inclusiveness; in our commitment to the worth and value of every individual, in our commitment to stand united against forces of hatred, bigotry and intolerance which would drive us apart."
He challenged the Purdue community to be part of building a better future.
"We are here not to return to normalcy," he said. "We are here to begin rebuilding, even better than before. That is what we must do now."
Purdue also has taken steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its community.
Police have requested that the campus community notify them if they see suspicious objects or packages. In addition, building staff are conducting safety walk-throughs of all university buildings. Counseling staff from the Office of the Dean of Students is available to work with students who need assistance.
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
