Because of the events surrounding Tuesday morning’s terrorist acts, President Jackson closed the Institute but kept student life centers open as the campus struggled to comprehend the national tragedy.
Jackson’s emergency statement to campus was broadcast on the six campus cable television channels, streamed online, and could be obtained in a written format from the Rensselaer website.
"As most of you know by now, the United States has sustained today the worst act of apparent terrorism it has ever faced. ... What such attacks aim to do is to disrupt life, by ending life and by affecting the survivors. The greatest thing that we can do as a community at this point is to care and to look out for each other, and to pray for all of those affected," said Jackson.
An emergency blood drive held in the DCC during the afternoon had a waiting time of 3 1/2 hours because of the high volunteer turnout from the Rensselaer community. At approximately 6:20 pm, the Red Cross decided to end the blood drive, leaving open the possibility of having another one next week.
The Chapel and Cultural Center held an afternoon prayer service and evening mass for Rensselaer community members.
During the day, many RPI students could not believe how such devastating events could occur in the U.S.
"I have a friend in D.C., and I’m worried about a response from her. You can’t let this happen. It’s just too serious," said Joe Sarrasin ’05.
"My dad was supposed to be working in the Pentagon today. It’s hard to believe this could happen. This is what you see in movies and in other countries," said Dave August ’05.
Public Safety increased their watch of campus activity and closed the roads to the central campus region. "We want to make our students feel safer," said Bruce Adams, director of Marketing and Media Relations. "You never know what happens when people are scared, and there are feelings of anger and resentment."
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity organized a candlelight vigil for Tuesday night with an American flag, bunting, flowers, and candles. It called for all houses to attend and bring flowers to show support for the victims of the terrorist attacks.
Some students expressed feelings that better efforts should have been made to prevent the terrorist acts.
"I think it’s terrible. They should stress security to prevent further incidents," said graduate student Jing Lu.
"It is unbelievable. The part that’s unbelievable about it is that the incidences happened in two different locations in the country. The U.S. has to stand strong and take strong, appropriate action," said Moses Finnerman ’04.
