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September 11: A look ahead, a look back

Multiple memorial events planned on the Berkeley campus

In the hours and days after last fall's terrorist attacks, thousands of students, faculty, staff and others gathered on the UC Berkeley campus to mourn, to reflect and to speak out. A year later, Sept. 11 will again be a time for coming together as a community to remember those who died and to reaffirm the values of free speech and civil discourse.

The central memorial on campus will be a moment of silence following the noon chiming of the Campanile bells. Events also are being organized by the Associated Students of University of California (ASUC) and the Graduate Assembly (GA), in collaboration with Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl, to include the voices of students – in words and song – commemorating Sept. 11, 2001.

Additional memorial events, some beginning on September 10, are planned as well.

Schedule of events:

5:45 a.m. - Campanile bells will toll for 5 minutes to mark the moment of the first attack in New York. The bells will toll three more times in the hours that follow to mark each subsequent attack.

9-10 a.m. - Interfaith Circle of Remembrance
Words, music and ritual invoking the spirit of prayer and unity of all people, at the Sproul tree line. Sponsored by University Religious Council.

Noon - After the chiming of the hour, a moment of silence will be observed campuswide, followed by the tolling of the Campanile bells.

12:10-1 p.m. - Concert: In memoriam
Reflective music from various cultures and centuries, at Hertz Hall. The University Chorus, Chamber Chorus and University Symphony will perform. Chancellor Berdahl will speak at the beginning of the concert. (Seating in Hertz Hall is limited.) Sponsored by the Department of Music.

12:10-1 p.m. - Reflections on 9/11
Student government leaders will host a program of music, poetry and reflection on the steps of Sproul Hall. Chancellor Berdahl will share his thoughts, and 12 student voices will be selected randomly, to represent diverse views. Sponsored by the ASUC and GA.

6-8 p.m. - Share your thoughts on 9/11
Open mic on Sproul steps. Sponsored by the ASUC and GA

9 p.m. - Candlelight vigil
A memorial including musical performances and readings. Sponsored by the ASUC and GA

For further information on these events, call 643-7003.

  memorial at reflecting pool  
Though it is thousands of miles removed from the flashpoints of the Middle East and Afghanistan, the UC Berkeley campus has been a focal point for protests and debates in the wake of Sept. 11.

Finding comfort in community
(Noah Berger photos)

Emotions have run high, and at times, limits have been pushed. But the campus as a whole has continued not only to function, but to find teachable moments in the passions of the moment. Whether remembering the victims, advocating for or against a cause, or testing the bounds of free speech and academic freedom, the campus community has stayed true to the university's mission to shine the light of learning through the lens of reasoned discourse.

To put the events of the past year in perspective, visit our special Web site chronicling a season of tension and tolerance at Berkeley.

 
Additional memorial events

Tuesday, Sept. 10

Noon-1:30 p.m. - Remembering 9/11 at the Tang Center

Share your personal perspective on the events of September 11, 2001, and the year that followed. This program from University Health Services also will discuss common reactions to the anniversary of traumatic events, as well as constructive ways people have found to cope with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

8 p.m. - "The Guys" at Zellerbach Playhouse:

A staged reading of Anne Nelson's play recreating the New York journalist's work with an FDNY fire captain, helping him write obituaries for the men in his company who died in the World Trade Center attacks. The Berkeley reading, presented by the Department of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies, will feature Lura Dolas, a UC Berkeley faculty member, and James Carpenter, a prominent local actor with credits at ACT, the Berkeley Rep, the California Shakespeare Festival and elsewhere. Free admission.

Wednesday, Sept. 11

5 a.m. - Memorial Vigil on the south side of the Campanile

The Air Force ROTC will sponsor 24-hour vigil at which the names of victims of the 9/11 tragedies will be read and a candle will be lighted in their honor by a reader. The Army and Naval ROTC units from campus also will take part in the vigil, and other members of the student community are welcome to participate and read names as well. The vigil will end at 5 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12

8:46 a.m. - "Rolling Requiem" at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Dana St. at Durant Ave.

The UC Alumni Chorus will participate in a worldwide "Rolling Requiem," which features sing-along performances of Mozart's "Requiem" in each time zone, timed to coincide with the first attack on the World Trade Center. Doors open at 8 a.m.; free admission.

10 a.m. - Remembrance ceremony at International House

A rededication to the I-House mission of fostering peace, respect and mutual understanding among all people. On the front steps of I-House.

Noon-1 p.m. - World Trade Center and the Engineering Aspects of 9/11 in the Sibley Auditorium at the Bechtel Engineering Center

A lecture by Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl, professor of civil and environmental engineering who has investigated the collapse of the twin towers. Astaneh will focus on the design and construction of skyscrapers, examining the engineering aspects of what happened on 9/11, and looking at lessons learned that can be applied to prevent such a massive loss of life in the future.

5-7 p.m. - A time for quiet contemplation at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

Last year, in the days following the September 11 attacks, the museum became an impromptu gathering place for the Berkeley community, a space where people could step away from the tragedy and try to get a sense of the bigger picture through interaction with art. On the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, the museum will offer a special musical performance in the central atrium. Beginning at 5 p.m., Nancy Bien Souza, cellist with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, will play selections from Bach. At 6 p.m. a string quartet including students and recent graduates from the Department of Music will play works by Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Beethoven. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; admission to Cal students and employees is always free.

7:30 p.m. - "Wall of Remembrance" project and discussion at Maslach Hall (Building 8) main lounge, Clark Kerr Campus

Throughout the week, students will have a chance to write down their thoughts and experiences surrounding the events of 9/11, and to read what others went through on that day. On Wednesday evening, the Office of Residential and Family Living will sponsor a moderated forum discussing the day's events, reactions and changes in the world in the past year. The forum will be followed by a trip to the main campus to take part in the candlelight vigil.

All day - A place for gathering and remembering at the Optometry Student Lounge, 433 Minor Hall

The School of Optometry will also provide a book for faculty, staff and students to write down their feelings or messages of support to Berkeley's sister optometry school at the State University of New York in Manhattan. TVs will be available to watch world memorial events.

Thursday, Sept. 12

4-6 p.m. - Post-Traumatic Stress: Its Impact on Our Communities, at the UC Berkeley Extension International Center, 2222 Harold Way

To help people understand their own reactions to events such as Sept. 11, UC San Francisco psychiatrist and "Stress Response Syndromes" author Mardi Horowitz will deliver a talk and panel discussion on the latest on post-traumatic stress, from the kinds of experiences it can trigger to the ways to regain equilibrium.

Friday, Sept. 13

1-2 p.m. - Open Campus Prayer Service in the Millennium Room, Eshleman Hall, 7th floor

The Muslim Students Association is holding an hourlong prayer service, with an optional question and answer period to follow. All are welcome to attend.

To suggest an event for listing, e-mail newscenter@pa.urel.berkeley.edu

 

 
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