Residence Life staff and students organize activities

Sisters of Alpha Phi sorority display the flag and their thoughts on their front porch.

Closely involved in helping students through the crisis of Sept. 11 were student and professional staff members of the Office of Residence Life. By 10 a.m. that day, all resident assistants and hall directors had been called and asked to spend the day on their floors checking with residents and gathering information for those directly affected.

That evening, each staff member was asked to walk residents to the candlelight vigil and to hold small and informal discussions or activities afterwards.

Throughout the month, activities continued as staff took students to the counseling center, volunteered at the Ribbon Garden, ushered at the Sept. 19 forum and planned various memorial and fundraising activities.

A sampling of activities is outlined here.

Russell Complex

On Sunday, Sept. 16, residents in Lane Hall held a reflection and remembrance program. Students gathered to discuss the tragedies and to paint murals on sheets.

Gilbert/Harrington halls

In Gilbert, residents made and hung American flags on their doors. On one floor where a resident was directly affected, students gathered donations to send her family flowers. A red, white and blue paper chain for students to write messages on linked Gilbert A and B.

In another part of the complex, purple ribbons also were hung for students to write inspirational messages. Another Gilbert community set up a memorial in their lobby with photos, notes, poetry and drawings. A bulletin board in Gilbert, titled "Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there," is filled with articles and personal accounts of the tragedies.

In the Harrington complex, large sheets of poster paper were hung for students to write out their feelings. A box was set up to collect donations for the Red Cross. Students also sold red, white and blue carnations on Harrington Beach, in the Perkins Student Center and at the Russell Dining Hall to raise funds for the Red Cross. 

Pencader Complex

In the Pencader complex, cards with heartfelt messages were mailed to New York and Washington, D.C. An individual could buy a card for $2 and sign a sheet to show his or her support. Proceeds went to the Red Cross. 

Laird Campus

An international student reception and forum for all English Language Institute and foreign-born students was held. The towers lighting project, which turned Christiana West into a large red-white-and-blue flag, was presented on Sunday, Oct. 7. 

Sussex, Squire and Warner halls

Students in these residence halls held fundraisers for disaster relief funds by selling pizzas donated by local restaurants.

Photo by KATHY FLICKINGER