In
the face of terrorism:
Student reaction
Jeannette Mammaro
Moustafa Hazin
Bill Kamps
Jeannette Mammaro, president of the Student Government Association,
spent most of the day Tuesday talking to students and trying to answer
their questions. "Most of them were in shock," said Mammaro.
"A lot of them said, ‘I don't know what to do. My parents want
me home.' I haven't even had time to process what has happened."
Mammaro wept as she addressed the Community Gathering for Unity in the
Student Center on Thursday. "I thank everyone in the campus community
for all their support. This is a hard time for the campus community and
the entire nation. I ask faculty and administrators to be considerate
of students and each other. I just ask that everybody be there for the
students. Be understanding and compassionate. Please remember that students
who graduated from Montclair State only a few months ago and went to work
in the World Trade Center are missing. Be there for one another. That's
all we can do right now. Cry. Laugh. Talk to one another. Anybody can
do that."
Moustafa Hazin, a senior biology major, spoke to the Community
Gathering for Unity in the Student Center on Thursday on behalf of the
Arab/Muslim Student Organization. "A lot of girls are afraid to come
to school today because they wear the veil," he said. "When
someone at an institution of higher learning fears for her life, something
is very wrong. Anyone with any sense condemns acts of violence. It's not
a Middle Eastern issue; it's a human issue."
Ed Collins, co-captain of the football team, watched the tragedy
from his home in Weekhawken. "It's horrible," he said.
"Everyone will be affected." About the Athletic Department's
decision to play football this weekend, Collins said, "Football is
an escape from everyday life and some people feel more comfortable on
the field. You can't help but think about the tragedy, and it's
going to be in the back of our minds, but hopefully we can play through
it."
Bill Kamps, president of the Christian Fellowship, recalled Tuesday
night's candlelight vigil. "Three hundred people gathered between
Bohn and Blanton halls at a prayer service that was put together in an
hour," he said. "From what I could see, people were moved and
at peace. There was a sense of unity on this campus that I have never
seen here. President Bush proclaimed Friday as a day of prayer. I encourage
everyone to pray."
The Montclair State women's soccer team arrived at Newark Airport at 5:30
a.m. Tuesday after playing at Biola University in California late Monday
evening. "It's extremely scary to know that we missed everything
by a couple of hours," said Stephanie Romanko, goalkeeper.
"We don't know, but we could have been in the airport with the hijackers.
It's a huge tragedy."