Friday, September 21, 2001

University of Utah to remain open unless Bush requests otherwise
Sept. 11

SALT LAKE CITY (U-WIRE) — Shock swept through the University of Utah Tuesday morning as news of the plane crashes in New York and Washington, came streaming over TV and radio stations.

Professors canceled classes as hundreds of students crowded in the Union, Marriott Library and around television sets throughout campus, though the university remained open.

Despite the activity, University President Bernie Machen said the campus would remain open for business until President Bush requests otherwise.

Administrators are planning a coordinated counseling hotline for students traumatized by the news. Three crisis centers are set up around campus. One in the Student Services Building, one in the Union and one in the Graduate School of Social Work, said social work dean Jannah Mather.

At roughly 6 a.m. Utah time Tuesday, two planes crashed into the upper floors of the World Trade Center. Those buildings at least partially collapsed later.

A plane also hit the Pentagon, collapsing one side. Another plane went down in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“This is absolutely terrible. For the first time, I don’t feel secure about the country. There is no control,” said Nate Freeman, a student studying international business.

The university has 32 interns throughout Washington, but none in the Pentagon. The interns were evacuated with government personnel from all major buildings.

Many students are scared about the unfolding events.

“I’m seriously freaking out. I am scared there is going to be a nuclear war,” said Sharon Zeckser, a junior. “They say one of the flights is out of Boston, and that scares me because that is where my family lives. My family could have been on that flight. We just don’t know how this is going to end.”