David K. Lewis, Ph.D.

Dear Connecticut College Parent:

I am shocked and horrified by the terrorist attacks of September 11 and I know that you share these feelings.

Our overriding concern on campus has been the safety and well-being of students. Throughout the day Tuesday, other administrators and I were in frequent contact with state and local police and officials at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, who assured us that there was no indication of a specific threat to the New London region. This vigilance continues. We also took many calls from concerned parents, some of whom asked if the college has an emergency response plan. We do.

To maintain the connections of community at a time when students might need them most, we chose to keep the college open. We encouraged faculty and students to make their own decisions about how to use class time; some chose to discuss the events of the day; others elected to continue with previously scheduled topics.

Housefellows, chaplains and counselors have been available around the clock for support and counseling. We have made, and continue to make, a special effort to identify students with family members working at the Pentagon or in the World Trade Center. At 4 p.m. Tuesday, the campus community gathered in Palmer Auditorium, where the college's chaplains offered prayers and commentary from their diverse spiritual traditions. Tragedy of this scale transcends geographical, racial and religious boundaries, and we have been urging all to refrain from directing anger at any particular groups but instead to focus their energy on helping those in need at this time.

Going forward, we plan to maintain a framework of normalcy while also providing many opportunities to reflect on, grieve, and learn from this national tragedy. Yesterday evening, students from Unity House, the college's multicultural association, led a candlelight vigil. This evening, a panel of about ten Connecticut College and Coast Guard Academy faculty members from different academic disciplines will offer their perspectives on the topic of terrorism. Campus blood drives have been scheduled for September 24 and 25. Information about these and other activities will be posted on the college's web site as available. You may access these updates by following directions from www.conncoll.edu or by going directly to http://www.conncoll.edu/camel/home/news/terrorists.cfm

We plan to go forward with Fall Weekend, September 21-23, although with some additions to the schedule in recognition of the events of September 11. We anticipate that some of you who intended to be here may now not be able to come, and we are making plans to offer special support to students whose families cannot be here with them that weekend.

I recognize that members of the Connecticut College family will be affected in many different ways. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to those who have lost friends or family members or who continue to wait for news of a loved one. Please keep us informed and continue to be in touch if you have any concerns.
David K. Lewis P'95
Interim President