Below is a statement released by President Malcolm Portera following the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon and other sites.
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Today's terrorist attacks aimed at the United States have understandably generated outrage and grief. Our immediate duty as citizens and as a university is to ensure that we are calm, deliberate, and reasoned in our response.
It seems likely that a primary objective of the attacks is to create chaos, discord, and fear within our society, but I am confident that we will not fall into that trap, as a nation or as a university.
As our national authorities bring the immense resources of the United States and the resilience and character of our people to bear on the current crisis, we are taking appropriate precautions to ensure the safety and security of our campus and our students.
We intend to maintain a normal schedule of all activities and I urge every student, faculty member, and staff member to help us in maintaining an atmosphere of calm resolve. I am confident that our response, nationally and locally, will be quick, effective, and appropriate.
Thank you for your cooperation and your courage as we confront these deplorable incidents.
--Malcolm Portera
September 11, 2001
