The University community responds to national tragedy

The U-M Center for Research on Learning and Teaching has compiled suggestions for U-M instructors leading discussions of the Sept. 11 tragedy.

The U-M Benefits Office has posted a revised Off-Campus Travel Handbook For Faculty, Staff and Students.

The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan has opened a Message Board, an open forum of information about Michigan alumni.

Telecasts—Some of the U-M discussions regarding the Sept. 11 tragedy were videotaped and are being telecast on the U-M educational access channel 22 in the Ann Arbor-area Comcast cable system.

Robert Precht, director of the Law School‘s Office of Public Serviceat the Law School, and former defense counsel in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing case, will speak on “Reflections on Defending An Accused Terrorist” 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday (Oct. 1) in room 150 Hutchins Hall at the Law School, open to the University community.

Precht received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1980. He first worked for the Legal Aid Society in New York City handling state criminal appeals. In 1986, he moved to the Federal Defender Division, where he was a trial attorney working in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Alumni Association will present a seminar 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday (Oct. 1) in Michigan League Ballroom with U-M faculty discussing how the tragedy of Sept. 11 is expected to affect U.S. international policy and the economy and offering insights on Islam.

A minimum $10 contribution at the door—cash or check, no credit card payments—will support a fund to honor U-M alumni lost in the tragedy. Admission is first-come, first-served.

Participating U-M faculty members are—

political science and business administration Prof. Kenneth Lieberthal, former special assistant to the president and senior director of Asian affairs at the National Security Council;

Joel Slemrod, Paul McCracken Professor of Business Economics and director of the U-M Office of Tax Policy Research; and

political science Prof. Mark Tessler. The Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning‘s third all-college meeting on terrorism is 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 5) in the Auditorium of the Art and Architecture Building on North Campus. It will start with a faculty presentation by Prof. James Snyder, a national expert on urban security, who will talk on how infrastructure, architecture and professional practice will change because of new security design guidelines. Snyder will lead a discussion which may include other matters. Brave New Works, a new music group dedicated to presenting, promoting and performing contemporary classical music for a broad audience presents a mini-festival featuring music of Albert A. Stanley Distinguished University Prof. Emer. of Music Leslie Bassett 8 p.m. October 6 and 7 in the Britton Recital hall of the Moore Music Building on North Campus, offered “as testimony to those values that we all honor.” The U-M has created a Web siteto help families and friends affected by the tragedies locate one another. The American Red Cross is in need of blood to replenish the nation’s supply. Call (800) GIVE-LIFE—(800) 448-3543—to schedule an appointment near where you live.

If you are unable to get through to the toll-free number, the U-M School of Business Administration has an online formthrough which people can contact the Washtenaw Chapter of the Red Cross to set up appointments.

Open message to the University Community from the Red Cross U-M Human Resources & Affirmative Action has issued an e-mail Benefits Special Edition – Your Retirement Plan Counseling resources Cancellations and postponements Statements from University community leaders William Bess, director of public safety, says the U-M Department of Public Safety and Security is attending to heightened security issues and is working with local, state and federal agencies as appropriate, but the department will not discuss details of any security measures being taken. Individuals with security concerns can contact the department at (734) 763-1131. As additional information becomes available, we will post updates to the University’s main Web site at www.umich.edu. ######### Other information resources

Center for Research on Learning and TeachingBenefits OfficeAlumni Associationare being telecastRobert PrechtTaubman College of Architecture and Urban PlanningProf. James Snyder