CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS AID IN HEALING, EDUCATING
Russell Eshleman scrapped his original plan for his communications reporting methods class today.
Instead of listening to a lecture, his students typed away furiously at their computers at the start of Eshleman’s class. Their charge? Describe their whereabouts when they heard yesterday’s horrific news of terrorism strikes on American soil.
Yesterday and today, Penn State President Graham Spanier requested “faculty members meet their classes as scheduled and use their classroom time as a principal source of comfort for our students, most of whom will be in need of support and understanding.”
Eshleman did just that. He did not take attendance or follow a lesson plan. Rather, he gave his students the opportunity to explain their emotions in a few paragraphs. These paragraphs were not to be graded but simply to be stuffed into his students’ backpacks and packed away only to be looked at 20 years from now.
It was a session of education, concern, and healing seen in classrooms throughout the Penn State system.
“Did you call your parents? Did they call you?” Eshleman asked his class.
His students’ responses were overwhelming as they read their accounts of the morning of Sept. 11. Students cried aloud as they described their roller coaster emotions.
“I have family in all three places. I tried to call them,” said one student who couldn’t complete her thoughts as her tears overcame her.
“As you can see we’re all still emotional,” Eshleman said.
When students finished reading their accounts aloud Eshleman took the opportunity to discuss journalism’s role in national tragedy. Some students, though, continued to type as they attempted to get their indescribable feelings off their chests.
“This is what journalism is all about. Those little white (newspaper) boxes out there, they’re all empty,” he said as he explained the public’s urgent need to be informed in such terrible times. “I would guess all newspapers are probably bought out downtown.”
The class also brainstormed ideas for future coverage of the attacks against the United States. One student suggested that a story should be written about the University’s decision to stick to its regular class schedule. At this Eshleman voiced his agreement wit h the administration.
“I think it was a good idea to have class instead of sending everybody home,” he said. “It helps us to deal. This is what we should be doing.”
For photos from Eshleman’s class on Wednesday, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/flash/picswed.html.
COUNSELORS LEND AN EAR AROUND THE CLOCK
Penn State’s Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) reports that it is providing counseling to students and others in the University community with needs related to Tuesday’s terrorist attacks. Counselors are on hand today for drop-in students in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center area of the Hetzel Union Building (HUB) at the University Park campus until at least 5 p.m., and possibly until 9 p.m., if needed. Counselors are available at the center’s main office at 221 Ritenour Building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Persons with questions about counseling available through CAPS should call 863-0395, and should indicate if they have special needs related to the crises in order to secure an appointment as quickly as possible.
“We have been seeing students who are concerned and anxious about the safety of friends and family whom they can’t reach, and also we are beginning to see students who are learning of deaths,” says Mary Anne Knapp, clinical social worker with CAPS. “We will be offering a grief group for students who experience a death of a loved one related to this tragedy, and would like to meet with other students who are experiencing a similar loss. Students should call CAPS for information about attending the group.”
CAPS staff members are also available to talk with students’ friends and parents, and with faculty or staff who have concerns about helping students deal with grief and uncertainty.
CAPS provides group and individual counseling, crisis intervention, and psychological and psychiatric evaluations for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as prevention and consultation services for the University community. The professional staff includes psychologists, psychiatric providers, social workers and graduate trainees. Basic CAPS services are provided at no charge to undergraduate and graduate students registered full time (12 credits or more for undergraduates, 6 credits or more for graduates) for the semester in which they are interested in seeking services. Selected services, including initial appointments and group therapy, are also available to part-time students free of charge.
CAPS services can help students resolve personal concerns that may interfere with their academic progress, social development and satisfaction at Penn State, including depression and anxiety; lack of motivation or difficulty relaxing, concentrating or studying, or related eating disorders that could arise from incidents such as yesterday’s.
In news of other services, the Office of Human Resources has coordinated with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to make therapists available to talk with faculty and staff. Faculty and staff wishing to talk with a therapist may go to 330 HUB any time between noon and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12. Should faculty and staff want personal counseling, they may call the EAP toll-free number at 1-800-858-2778. The Penn State EAP is a professional and confidential counseling service.
The Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, in the Helen Eakin Eisenhower Chapel, has also indicated that clergy and staff are available to talk with affected individuals through its Open Door Counseling Ministry. Call 865-6548 for details.
Another source of information for counseling needs is the Lion Support Line at 863-2020.
UNIVERSITY HOLDS VIGIL FOR VICTIMS OF TERROR
Tears ran down the sad, silent faces of the Penn State community as more than 1,500 people of all faiths joined in song and prayer in Alumni Hall at the HUB-Robeson Center last night. The Penn State All Faiths Vigil, coordinated by the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, gave all in attendance the opportunity to join hearts and minds to mourn the tragedies inflicted upon the nation today.
Sharon Mortensen, the center’s interim director, opened the vigil by asking Penn State students, faculty and staff to lend their support to each other during this terrible time of loss. Prayers were then shared in several different languages, reaching out to the religious needs of diverse gathering.
Following these many prayers came a song in which the community participated. Many tears were shed as the Penn State community came together to support each other in harmony.
Among the many who spoke at the vigil was Timothy Gianotti, a professor of religious studies and history who specializes in Islamic religious tradition. He said he used his classroom today as a forum to discuss the attacks against the nation. “When these things occur it becomes second nature to start thinking in Islamic terms,” Gianotti said. “It is important to let people know that these kinds of people are not representative of the Islamic religion. Events like this don’t help anyone. No constructive power is developed in this type of destruction.”
Mark Ogden of the Asian American Christian Fellowship at Penn State asked the crowd to look at how the tragedy remarkably brought together such a diverse group. “This is a group that’s never before gathered together. We come together with one thing in common - comfort.”
Ogden also asked the community to use resources available to it to help express any feelings of despair. “I want to ask you not to compound this hate with hate. Don’t become calloused and ignore the pain and hurt that is around us. I ask you not to hold that in.”
The vigil was closed with Mortensen encouraging the crowd to seek help in Penn State’s resources, be it The Open Door Counseling Ministry or the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.
In addition to this vigil, support services from University counselors and clergy are being made around the clock to students, faculty, and staff at locations in the HUB, Kern Building, and residence hall commons. The Lion Support Lion (814-863-2020) is staffed 24-hours by peer counselors for students seeking information and referral numbers.
For photos from the vigil, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/flash/vigil.html.