Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
September 14, 2001

Counselors ready to help

by Diana Pounds
The bells of the ISU carillon tolled at noon throughout the week as the campus community mourned for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, hundreds gathered on central campus for a candlelight vigil, public forums and prayer services were held throughout the Ames-ISU community, several federal government buildings on campus were closed for a day and counselors stood ready to assist the troubled.

"We are shocked and saddened by the events of this morning," President Geoffroy said in statement released a few hours after the attacks. "It is truly a national tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their families. This is a time when we must come together as a community and a nation. We are especially concerned about members of the Iowa State University community who may be affected by this tragedy, and we want to provide all the support we can to them."

"This is a time to unite as a nation," the Iowa State Daily editorialized," not to divide among ethnicities. Everyone grieves."

Student Counseling Service extended its hours and set up an informational table Sept. 11 in the Memorial Union, where students watched the news unfold on television. No students had sought counseling as of Wednesday morning, said SCS director Terry Mason.

"A lot of students are stunned and shocked," he said. "When reality sinks in, they might want to talk to a counselor and we will be there for them."

ISU faculty and staff who need assistance dealing with the tragic events can contact the Richmond Center and McFarland Clinic at 232-5811 (Ames) or 1-800-830-7009 (outside Ames or after hours). The latter number is a 24-hour crisis line, also available to the public. Officials at the center said they'd received a few inquiries related to the national crisis as of Wednesday.

Another 24-hour crisis line the Iowa Concern Hotline operated by ISU Extension, reported more than a hundred calls within the first 24 hours of the attacks. Coordinator Margaret VanGinkel said staff fielded a steady stream of calls Tuesday and Wednesday, many from parents and people who work with children. The hotline number is 1-800-447-1985; for the hearing-impaired, 1-800-735-2942.