Interim Provost Lisa A. Tedesco and Vice President E. Royster Harper

Officers of Michigan Student Assembly (campus-wide student government)

Letter to alumni from Alumni Association executive director

"This is an enormous human tragedy for our country. Out of respect and grief for the magnitude of this loss, the University will suspend all classes today, effective immediately. Also, it is very important that all supervisors provide maximum flexibility and support for staff during this difficult time. Patient care will continue uninterrupted throughout the Health System.

"Although we wish it were not so, many members of our community will be seriously and personally affected by this loss. I ask that we draw together today to sustain our community in every way possible. I encourage faculty and staff to reach out to students in their classes this week and throughout our campus, using class time to discuss and reflect. I ask that faculty dedicate tomorrow's classes to that end."

"We are deeply proud of our diverse, multicultural community. Regardless of ethnic or national origin, we stand together in our grief and concern. We are committed to the safety and security of every member of this community and reaffirm our enduring respect for all who are a part of the University of Michigan family."

Tedesco and Harper also confirmed that the Sept. 11 tragedy has not shaken the commitment of the University to international education.

U-M officials say application and admission policies remain unchanged, and the University welcomes all applications from international students.

Information on the admission policies of the University of Michigan may be obtained from the following units (all addresses should include "The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109"):

Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 1220 Student Activities Building, tel: 734/763-4595; ugadmiss@umich.edu

Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, 915 E. Washington St., tel: 734/764-8129; rackadmis@umich.edu

School of Business Administration, 701 Tappan, tel: 734/763-5796; umbusmba@umich.edu

Medical School, 4139 Med Sci I, tel: 734/764-6317; kthorne@umich.edu

School of Social Work, 1080 S. University, tel: 734/764-3309; ssw.msw.info@umich.edu

College of Engineering, 273 Chrysler, tel: 734/647-7024; frbec@engin.umich.edu

Law School (JD), 300H Legal Research, tel: 734/763-4565; law.jd.admissions@umich.edu

Law School (LLM) 300D Legal Research, tel: 734/764-5269; law.grad.admissions@umich.edu

School of Public Health, 3537 SPH I, tel: 734/764-5425; sph.inquiries@umich.edu

Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, 2000 Bonisteel Blvd., tel: 734/764-1300; meglee@umich.edu

School of Nursing, 400 N. Ingalls Bldg., tel: 734/647-0109 or 800/458-8689; umnursing@umich.edu

Fellow students,

We all came to the University of Michigan with hopes and expectations - waking up to what we saw on CNN this morning was something we certainly never anticipated. This morning's events have left us feeling confused, helpless, and frightened. Although it seems like there's nothing we can do, this is not the case.

Go visit your friends. Call your relatives. Give blood. Talk to the people around you. This tragedy affects each of us in a different manner, but none of us should have to go through this alone.

Our strength lies in our connections to each other, and without keeping these relationships strong, we will end up lost and confused. We might be searching for someone or something to blame - but jumping to conclusions and looking for scapegoats would be futile and would only divide us.

Together, we can work through this disaster and emerge as a stronger community. Terrorism can only succeed when it forces us to change our practices - to blame those around us and live in fear. Instead, we must choose to continue supporting each other, demonstrating our compassion and our resolve.

Sincerely,

Matt Nolan, Student Body President
Jessica Cash, Student Body Vice President