ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UCSD (including UCSD Healthcare)
ALL STUDENTS AT UCSD

SUBJECT: Day of National Prayer and Remembrance

Dear Colleagues:

As we end one of the most difficult weeks in our nation's history, I would like to bring you up to date on UCSD's ongoing efforts to help our campus community cope with this immense tragedy.

On Tuesday, the UC Chancellors, in concert with President Atkinson, made the difficult decision to keep our campuses open because, after much discussion and reflection, we felt that the greatest university system in the world should not be shut down by the evil acts of terrorists. I am grateful to all of you for carrying out your assignments during this trying week. Your courage has demonstrated why America can and will prevail.

President Bush has designated Friday, September 14 as a Day of National Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. This will be an occasion for all of us to join with the nation in a shared process of grieving, of healing, and of regaining hope for a better future.

UCSD will join other UC campuses in reaffirming our solidarity at 12 noon at the Price Center to observe a moment of silence so that our campus community can gather together to express our sorrow and console one another.

I am granting a 2-hour administrative leave so that employees can attend this moment of silence or, if they prefer, another memorial service with their families and loved ones. In addition, I again ask that supervisors be flexible and liberal in working with employees in the use of leave as deemed appropriate.

In the days and weeks to come, updated information will be posted on the UCSD Blink Website at: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/emergency

That information will include updated campus status information, details about counseling and emergency support services available to our staff, students, and faculty as well as instructions for UCSD travelers about new security measures and airline status information. Finally, as we continue to struggle with the enormity of this tragedy, and as we prepare for a new academic year, it is especially important for us to stand together as a community. I thank everyone for your continued support during this difficult time.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                Robert C. Dynes
                                                Chancellor