Moment of Silence, Tree Planting, and Candlelight Vigil Planned University Establishes Website with Information about Commemorations Throughout the University and the City New York, NY New York University today released its plans for commemorating the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
While the University will be open on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, and classes will be held, NYU plans to mark the first anniversary in a variety of ways:
§ Ceremony of Remembrance: At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, the University will hold an outdoor ceremony of remembrance at Gould Plaza, located outside the Henry Kaufman Management Center at 44 West Fourth Street. The ceremony will begin with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. NYU President John Sexton will lead a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the exact time at which the first plane hit the World Trade Center tower. Violet commemorative ribbons will be distributed to participants. A lone bagpiper will conclude the ceremony at approximately 8:50 a.m.
§ Tree Planting: At approximately 9:00 am on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, NYU President John Sexton will plant a tree in Washington Square as a living memorial to those who died and an enduring symbol of hope.
§ 9/11 Exhibition: The University will mount an exhibition at Bobst Library, located at 70 Washington Square South, which will contain various items representing 9/11 and how it affected the University community. These will include:
- A list of the members of the NYU community who perished in the attack.
- A commemorative quilt crafted by students at NYU’s Palladium Dormitory.
- Photographs from 9/11 taken by NYU students, including Yoni Brook, winner of two of the country’s most prestigious journalism competitions.
- Letters of sympathy and support from parents, students, friends and faculty members from around the world.
- Two books published with or by NYU faculty: 110 Stories, a compilation of fiction, poetry and essays published by NYU Press; and 09/11 8:48 A.M.: Documenting America’s Greatest Tragedy, a collection of journalistic dispatches by students and faculty in the NYU Journalism Department that was the first book on 9/11 ever published.
§ Meditation, Reflection and Community Interaction: Throughout the day, the University will set aside rooms all over the campus for meditation, reflection and community interaction. The University Counseling Office will provide enhanced services for students on and around September 11, including expanded walk-in hours (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at its main office, located at 726 Broadway, Suite #471, from September 5-18; discussion groups from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on September 10, 11 and 12, also at the main office; and off-site counseling at 5 Washington Place on September 11 from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
NYU’s Faculty Staff Assistance Program has organized a seminarExtraordinary Times Remembering 9/11taking place at 12 Waverly Place, Rm. 107 from 12 to 1 p.m.; Sept. 10, Dr. Allen H. Lebovits, NYU Medical Center, Dept. of Anesthesiology and Psychology will help participants anticipate, understand and manage the range of responses to the 9/11 anniversary; Sept. 11, Nicholas Lessa, Executive Director, Inter-Care, Ltd., will discuss post-traumatic stress disorder. Also, walk-in group discussions for employees, family members and significant others will be offered at 12 Waverly Place, Rm. 107 on Sept. 10 &11, from 1 to 2 p.m., and Sept. 12, from 12 to 3 p.m.; and at the FSAP Office, 113-15 University Place, Rm. 908 on Sept. 13, from 12 to 2 p.m. Counselors will also be available to provide on-site departmental group discussions as needed.
§ Candlelight Vigil: At dusk on September 11th, approximately 7 p.m., all faculty, students, staff and members of the local community are invited to an evening candlelight vigil in Washington Square Park.
§ Individual Schools and Colleges: NYU comprises 14 schools and colleges and many are sponsoring events and meeting hours of their own in commemoration of 9/11. As individual events become known they will be listed on NYU’s 9/11 website.
§ Website: The University has established a website with information about the all-University commemoration, about other 9/11 related events being sponsored around the University, and about New York City’s plans for commemoration. That website can be found at www.nyu.edu/9.11
New York University, which was established in 1831, is one of the largest and most prestigious private research universities in the U.S. It has more international students than any other U.S. college or university. Through its 13 schools and colleges, NYU conducts research and provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, dentistry, education, nursing, business, social work, the cinematic and performing arts, public administration and policy, and continuing studies, among other areas.