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IDEAS FOR RESPONDING TO THIS TRAGEDY IN
YOUR HALL
Many
of you have been responding to this tragedy in creative and
effective ways. Following are some responses from the
ResidentAssistant.com listserves about what people are doing on
campuses around the nation:
In
my hall, we had a discussion about the issues/concerns/feelings
everyone was having. We're not as close to the action as you
are, but it still helped to have a healthy dialogue about the
events.
Becky
Berea College, Berea, KY
We
had a info/counseling/support meeting as a campus. RA's
are supporting residents by floor. We are making patriotic arm
bands for students to wear. We bought fabric that has American
flags all over it. Students can wear them knotted on their
arms or tie them on their schoolbags.
Here
at Millikin University, we set up TVs and refreshments in
classroom hallways, auditoriums, student union, etc.
Professional staff cancelled all appointments and wandered
around campus talking and being visable to students. We're
a campus of 2400. Tonight we had a candle vigil outside, with a
tremendous turn out. We had area clergy available
afterwards and one of our choirs sang some religious songs,
civil rights songs, and the national anthem with the crowd
joining in. Then staff, professors and clergy hung around
if anyone needed to talk. RAs were also advised to be
visible in their hall since most classes were cancelled or only
lasted a short while. International students, especially
Palestinian students were checked on personally by Student Life
staff.
Millikin
University also had our chapel (although we're not supported by
any religious institution) open for prayer and discussion every
hour starting on the hour. Some RAs also initiated a floor
discussion before attending the candle vigil.
Karin
Area Coordinator
Office of Residence Life
Millikin University
At
Indiana University various residence
centers held gathering like "Night of
Caring and Support" where anyone from our center or other
place ' s
could come and share their feelings, concerns or clarification
of rumors. We
had campus ministers and counselors in attendance.
Many centers held candlelight vigils also. The RAs
are all expected to be in the building and present for
the residents. IU did not cancel classes, which I think
was a very wise decision. I would attach pictures, but they
exceed the limit.
Kimberly
Assistant Residence Manager
Indiana University - Forest Quadrangle
At
Southern Oregon University we have started a "Purple
Ribbon" campaign. We chose purple because it is the
color that is traditionally associated with courage. Our
students came up with this.
Shelly
Greensprings Area Coordinator
Southern Oregon University
FOR
DETAILS ON THE PURPLE RIBBON CAMPAIGN, CLICK HERE
What
we've done:
- a room in the student center designated as place for quiet
reflection, with a chaplain present. an escape from the
media...
- student affairs staff stationed at several media (TV) stations
around campus, to help students cope with the news.
- organized a midnight candlelight vigil tonight, with members
of the clergy and community members
from the neighborhood also invited.
- in the process of organizing a shuttle to the blood drive.
Our
students have pretty much been the guide...organized a prayer
service. An RA of mine came up with the idea to work with a
local blood bank to have students go donate. I feel this
gives students a chance to "do" something in a time
when they feel so helpless. We're also having a memorial
service
tomorrow evening in honor of those students whose lives were
taken.
Christine
Shorter College
Rome, GA
We
had one of our international studies professors hold a question
and answer session yesterday @ 3:00 PM. This gave the
students a chance to ask questions and share their fears.
Last night we had a prayer service and included prayers from
many faith groups.
Thursday - we are helping a local community college in their
blood drive. Since the need for blood is so great and they had
this drive already planned
-
we are shuttling students to donate and to volunteer to help
with the
anticipated crowds.
We
set up a satellite feed in our Union Ballroom and had professional
student affairs staff as well as counselors available all day
and throughout the night to provide support to students.
The Residence Life Coordinators walked continually through their
halls to check with students. Also, mentor groups
(first-year program) were encouraged to meet together.
There were two prayer vigils. One was at noon and the
other was a candlelight vigil that took place last night.
From the students I have talked with, they are appreciative of
the responses and support. Please continue to keep all
students in your thoughts as there are many who still do not
know how deeply this will impact their lives in terms of missing
family members, active duty, and returning to a city so
completely altered.
Sarah
Residence Life Coordinator
DePauw University
OTHER
ADVICE FOR HELPING STUDENTS
"There
are many issues to keep in mind as we work through this tragedy.
First of all, remember that even
this horrific event brings to light the critical role you play as
a staff member in your hall. Your presence, your ability to listen
to and to help students, as well as your knowledge of campus
resources really makes a difference for students coping with this
event.
During
the aftermath of this event, be sure to check on how students are
doing. Many may be impacted in a variety of ways, including loss
of a loved one, emotions from a past tragedy coming up, as well as
the potential for discrimination against students who appear to be
of Arab origin, which is an unfortunate reaction to many terrorist
events. Be aware that emotions will come in waves as more
information comes in about death tolls, friends who are impacted,
etc.
Remember
that by listening and practicing some basic helping skills, you
can do a lot to help students cope. Make yourself and your
residents aware of what resources are being offered in the campus
and community. Also, don't take on more than you can handle.
We all need to deal with this, and most residence life staff
members are not professional counselors. Do what you can to offer
support and opportunities to cope. A hug, a listening ear, or a
caring word might be just what a resident needs. As always, be
sure you are paying attention to yourself during this time. You
can't support others if you aren't getting the support you need as
well."
Dan
Oltersdorf
ResidentAssistant.com
Hall Director - Florida State University
"The
issue that comes to mind readily for me is that people deal with
tragedy differently. Some may become overtly angry. Others may
internalize the anger. Some may go "into their cave."
Others may cry openly. Some may self-medicate with alcohol or
drugs. Yet others may ignore the issue. Some people want and need
a hug, a voice or understanding while others may want to be left
alone to deal by it themselves.
It
is important to realize that different people need different
things. One cannot assume, for instance, that because someone
doesn't cry, he/she is heartless and unfeeling. As student affairs
staff we need to be especially attuned to differential needs and
act accordingly."
Gavin
Henning
Research Associate
Student Affairs Research and Assessment Center
University of New Hampshire
"The
one piece of advice that I would offer to all RA's is not to try
to force closure on the issue. I attended school in
Washington DC during the beginning of the Gulf War, and in Los
Angeles during LA Riots, and the one thing that most residents
complained about is that the school assumed too early that all was
OK. These is a difficult issue to deal with and it will
literally be weeks/months before some residents will be able to
process what happened. One of my RA's at our staff meeting
last night summed up the best response by saying, "if a
resident you are talking to says that they are OK, tell them that
is fine, but that your door is always open."
We
have also been posting new school related information as fast as
possible so that the residents do feel some sense of control and
knowledge throughout this process. I would encourage all
staffs to have people assembled to help post flyers and provide
information. We have had an RA in our lobby since yesterday
at 8:30am, and having someone that the residents feel hey can talk
to has been a great resource.
I
would echo any thoughts of concern for residents of Arab
nationality. We have not had any occurrences on our campus,
however our campus police have noted problems at other schools.
I would encourage any RA's to address any residents using
discriminatory language or making threatening statements
immediately, and to contact their supervisor. Last night I
heard several people in town using horrible language, and if it is
happening in the community, it is happening on campus.
Finally,
I would encourage all RA's to continue with any programmatic
activities that they have scheduled. It is most important at
this point to provide residents with a sense of normalcy, and ways
to come together as a community.
Best
of luck to all of you. I have seen the power of college
students in action during the last 24 hours, and it quickly
reminded me of why I do what I do each day. The support and
comfort that Residence Life staffs provided around the country
yesterday was truly amazing."
Sean L. Flaherty
Director of Residence Life and Housing
University of Colorado at Colorado
Springs
To
share additional advice or to request advice, please take
advantage of the ResidentAssistant.com message boards.
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