NIU instructors care.

Suzanne Willis, executive of University Council and president of Faculty Senate, called an emergency meeting Wednesday night in response to the attack on America.

Willis, along with the Steering Committee and the Executive Committee, discussed ways to help deal with the terrorist attacks.

“The main goal is to provide a series of forums in a variety of formats so that students, faculty, staff and the community can get together as a whole and discuss these events, find out more information and get some history,” Willis said.

Instructors suggest offering students Internet resources to look up news, and talking to students on a personal level.

“I think this benefits students, faculty and staff to all talk and share concerns and issues,” said Jenine Povlsen, president of Board of Professionals Staff Council. “Open dialogue is wonderful. It gives people the opportunity to be inclusive, not exclusive.”

Talking about the issues related to the recent attacks is on the minds of many, including professors.

“I used to get notes from football coaches telling me so-and-so was not going to be in class,” said physics professor Susan Mini. “Now I’m getting notes from the military telling me so-and-so isn’t going to be in class.”

The issues are real and students are dealing with them. Another suggestion is learning what other universities are doing to help their students. NIU is aware that the terrorism attacks affected everyone, including students and staff on campus. The Steering and Executive Committee also considered reaching out to student organizations on campus.

“There are various professors who are experts on these issues,” said Willis. “We need to bring them into our classrooms.”

Willis is not the only one who thinks this way.

Education professor Richard Orem also thinks something needs to be done to help the students deal with terrorism issues.

“Students are the ones who know the least, are concerned the most and have the biggest impact on us,” he said.