Students and staff at UW-Madison Wednesday closely watched the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attack on the United States, as many Americans began to absorb the horrors of that day's events and reality finally set in.
Students distributed white and yellow ribbons on Library Mall Tuesday evening in a campaign symbolizing peace and healing.
Students feeling vulnerable, unsafe
Associate Dean of Students Jean Chagnon said all of the counseling staff at University Health Services is available. She said students are tense and uncomfortable.
'I think students in general are anxious and nervous,' she said. 'We don't have any reason, [however], to believe there is any threat [to campus].'
She said several groups have assembled to offer support for those suffering after this tragedy.
Dennis Christoffersen, clinical director of clinical and crisis services at UHS, said that many people came into their offices Wednesday. He said that numerous public and private dorms have requested counselors. He said he was pleased faculty members showed up at these counseling sessions to show support for students.
Counselors are also available if students walk in or make an appointment at UHS.
'People have a heightened sense of vulnerability,' he said. 'We're seeing a lot of people who just need to be at arm's length [with family and friends]. ... They are feeling unsafe.'
Christoffersen said 'a lot of East Coast people' have sought counseling services because they are distressed over being far from family during such a dangerous time.
Blood donations double
Mark Shields of the Madison branch of the Red Cross said people might wait up to a few hours for donating blood if they are walk-ins. The Red Cross is advising that people make appointments to donate. The Red Cross normally collects 800 to 900 units of blood in a day; Tuesday they collected around 1,700 units, he said.
'The response has been overwhelming,' he said.
There will be an all-campus blood drive held in room 302 Union South from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
UW-Madison ROTC cadets take precautionary measures
The UW-Madison ROTC program ordered cadets not to wear their uniforms on campus and postponed physical training Tuesday. Capt. Rick Hargrave said the ROTC used 'force protection measures' in order to insure the safety of the cadets.
'The commander here decided to be prudent to get the people out of uniform,' he said. 'The decision was made purely on a safety level. ... It is a national policy right now.'
Hargrave said the program has received nothing but support from the campus. He said he thinks students are looking more carefully at the ROTC building as they pass it. The program is planning on having a multi-service blood drive shortly in order to lend some help.
'We're monitoring the situation like everyone else,' he said.
Little harassment of UW Muslims
Despite two confirmed reports of harassment against Muslim women on campus Tuesday, Mamoon Syed of the Muslim Students Organization said 'the reaction has been generally positive in terms of how friends and peers have handled the situation.'
'The unfortunate thing is that they are showing only 10 or 15 Palestinians [on television], and I'm almost positive that most Palestinians don't agree,' he said. 'But people are seeing images of women with head scarves and it is inevitable that they will connect them.'
