University faculty members united at an academic forum to address the various worldwide effects of September 11 on its one-year anniversary in Bent Hall. Topics discussed by the panel included a broad spectrum of issues including responsible patriotism, abuses in legislature, assaults on the Muslim faith, post-traumatic stress disorders, impact on the business community and terrorist motives.

“This opportunity enabled the community to seek and find an intellectual understanding of the 9-11 events,” Jeffrey Fagen, dean of the College of Professional Studies, said.

“I tried to represent the diversity of the university with my selection of speakers,” he continued.

Presenters provided insight within their areas of expertise while educating the audience.

“I feel committed to train [my] students how to respond to tragedies such as this,” said Patricia Hudson chair of the National Task Force for Crisis Response of the American Counseling Association. Hudson explained that Common Fatigue Syndrome creates threatening feelings of vulnerability and insecurity in individuals working closely with victims of trauma. “Rituals have been proven to be more beneficial than talk therapy in [healing people in] this sort of situation,” Hudson said.

Laura Birou of the department of marketing spoke on behalf of the injured businesses in the community and the formulation of the Adoptive Company Program. This program seeks out companies directly affected by September. 11, whose business revenues have been significantly altered and also provides information and counsel for businesses in need of financial assistance.

Birou said, “It is through action that one can change the course of future events.” With this concept in mind, she sent students from her marketing courses into Manhattan with the goal of registering ailing companies into the program.

Hui Zhou, a graduated marketing student, walked the streets of Chinatown and enlisted over thirty individuals into the Adoptive Company Program. “These businesses are not only a business, but a way of life for these people,” she said

Other issues discussed by the panel were geopolitics, the President’s pro-active approach, encroachment on civil liberties and anti-Americanism and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder were among the topics addressed.

“I think that this discussion was very interesting, because it enabled me to see various points of view since September 11,” Kelsy Coba, a psychology major said.

But not all students were as pleased.

“Although the forum was informative and introduced me to various types of reactions, it seemed more opinionated than educational,” Grace Ryu said. “Through questioning and discussing what has happened, we can help our student body answer the ultimate question of, ‘Where do we go from here?'”