Remarks from the Student Government Association

University of Massachusetts
September 12, 2001

Dear Students, Friends, and Members of our Campus Community,

September 11, 2001, will be spoken of in the same soft tones and solemn reflection that our grandparents exhibit when they speak of Pearl Harbor. As our parents remember what class they were being taught in elementary school the moment that John F. Kennedy was assassinated, we will remember the day that the most direct terrorist attack on our nation in the history of the United States occurred. In not only the upcoming days and weeks, but the upcoming months and years, we'll still be feeling the effects of what started out as just another day at UMass.

However, in the wake of yesterday's events, despite all the emotions that we are going through, remember that we are all members of the same community trying to deal with this situation together. You weren't the only one pausing in front of a TV or radio in the Campus Center or adjacent dorm room straining to see or hear a breaking news brief. You were probably surrounded by tens or, in some cases, hundreds of others that, although they didn't know who you were, offered you a hug, or a water, or an understanding nod. Some of your fellow students had loved ones in the World Trade Center, Pentagon, or other targets of yesterday's acts. Some students on our campus are still waiting to hear from those people to make sure that they're alright.

Every member of our campus community has been gravely affected by yesterday's attacks. However, in the wake of these events, we must focus not on the hate and ignorance which sponsored these deplorable acts, but rather on the sense of community demonstrated when 4,000 members of our campus community joined together at a vigil in remembrance, in grievance, in understanding, and in solidarity.

We, the Student Government Association, would like to make sure that every student knows that we are here to advocate on your behalf and will continue to provide support for you in any way that we can. We are always available and accessible to students and we welcome any thoughts or questions you would like to share with us. We would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to all the people who lost their lives in these tragic events, as well as to their families and loved ones who are also suffering this great loss. Our hearts are with you.

Sincerely,

John Sheehan
SGA President

Aaron Saunders
Speaker, SGA Senate

Jon Laubinger
Student Trustee

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