News

La Verne responds to tragedy

United by tragedy, residents of La Verne demonstrate their support for those lives that were lost in terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. On the corner of Foothill and Wheeler, a simple sign serves as a remembrance to the rest of the community of the tragedy that the nation has undergone. / photo by Tom Galaraga
United by tragedy, residents of La Verne demonstrate their support for those lives that were lost in terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. On the corner of Foothill and Wheeler, a simple sign serves as a remembrance to the rest of the community of the tragedy that the nation has undergone. / photo by Tom Galaraga

by Christine Owen
Editor in Chief

Tuesday’s terrorist attack against the United States rippled across the nation and left the University of La Verne community in shock.

By the time students and faculty arrived on campus Tuesday, John Lentz, director of campus safety and transportation, had set up an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the President’s Dining Room.

Lentz said the University was not in immediate danger, but in situations such as these, Campus Safety will generally set up an EOC.

“There is no indication that anything is going to occur on the West Coast or California in general, but this is just a precaution,” he said.

Rachel Rousseve takes a moment out of her school day on Tuesday to share her thoughts and concerns with the rest of the campus via a poster outside the Student Center. The tragedy, which struck in the early morning, has left students and faculty alike searching for answers. / photo by Tom Galaraga
Rachel Rousseve takes a moment out of her school day on Tuesday to share her thoughts and concerns with the rest of the campus via a poster outside the Student Center. The tragedy, which struck in the early morning, has left students and faculty alike searching for answers. / photo by Tom Galaraga

The EOC is located in the President’s Dining Room because it is centrally located and one of the “more secure” buildings on campus, Lentz said. He added that if there was a true emergency on campus, the EOC is right next to the student dining hall, which provides rest rooms, water and food.

In addition to medical supplies, the EOC is equipped with computer access, phones and radios. Lentz also said that he had been in contact Tuesday morning with Captain Ken Swank from the La Verne Police Department, who serves as a liaison between the University and his emergency departments.

Lentz met Tuesday morning with ULV President Stephen Morgan and other University personnel regarding the situation.

“One of our biggest concerns was student reactions,” Lentz said.

Throughout the state, numerous federal and local facilities were shut down. This included all California State University campuses and some private colleges as well.

When asked why ULV had decided not to cancel classes on Tuesday, President Morgan said, “I thought we would have an opportunity to process this together with faculty, staff and students, getting a variety of perspectives rather than sitting at home alone watching television and being isolated from people who I think can help us process these kinds of surprises.”

He also said that it would have been difficult for the University to get a message to students and faculty in an efficient way because ULV does not have the state schools’ access to the media.

Derek Vergara welcomed a crowd in the chapel Tuesday afternoon. Campus Ministries and the Institute for Multicultural Research and Cultural Development quickly put together. "A Time for Mourning and Reflection." The prayer service and discussion brought members of the university community together allowing them to share the overwhelming sadness over the death and destruction at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. / photo by Lauren Wooding
Derek Vergara welcomed a crowd in the chapel Tuesday afternoon. Campus Ministries and the Institute for Multicultural Research and Cultural Development quickly put together. “A Time for Mourning and Reflection.” The prayer service and discussion brought members of the university community together allowing them to share the overwhelming sadness over the death and destruction at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. / photo by Lauren Wooding

Security on campus was not heightened, but Lentz said that patrol officers would be a visible presence on campus and be alert to anything going on.

Outside the Student Center, poster paper was taped to the ground and markers were laid out so students could write their thoughts on the attack. The Institute of Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity provided this outreach.

“We just wanted to give students the opportunity to reflect upon what’s occurring in our society right now, and be able to discuss their feelings or any thoughts that they have,” said La Toya Faulkner, research assistant for the Institute.

Other students found consolation by attending the noon prayer service at the chapel while some painted the Rock with peace signs.

Rick Rogers, director of the ULV counseling center said that the center is making sure that someone is available Monday through Thursday, both in the morning and evening, to counsel students that might need help dealing with the situation. Rogers also said counselors were also available “during and after” Thursday’s discussion panel held in the Quad. If students have emergencies that they need immediate counseling for, they can call ext. 4650 24 hours a day, seven days a week and receive counseling. If a student has a need for additional or extensive counseling, Rogers said that those situations would also be addressed.

In just a few minutes, Ontario airport turned from a busy rush-hour hub to a vacant group of terminals. People who had been waiting at departure gates soon were waiting at curbside for rides away from the airport. Almost 50 of the airport's 125 daily departing flights were cancelled. / photo by Jason Cooper
In just a few minutes, Ontario airport turned from a busy rush-hour hub to a vacant group of terminals. People who had been waiting at departure gates soon were waiting at curbside for rides away from the airport. Almost 50 of the airport’s 125 daily departing flights were cancelled. / photo by Jason Cooper
The Los Angeles County Fair was closed Tuesday because of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Eleven-year veteran parking attendant Eddie Agcaoili stayed behind to notify fair goers at gate 17 of the closure on Tuesday. Many area amusement parks were also closed as a security precaution. / photo by Liz Lucsko
The Los Angeles County Fair was closed Tuesday because of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Eleven-year veteran parking attendant Eddie Agcaoili stayed behind to notify fair goers at gate 17 of the closure on Tuesday. Many area amusement parks were also closed as a security precaution. / photo by Liz Lucsko

Campus Reaction

"People do not realize that we are not the most loved country in certain parts of the world. When people have nothing to look forward to, they will do anything." --Dr. John Jang, professor of government and global studies
"People do not realize that we are not the most loved country in certain parts of the world. When people have nothing to look forward to, they will do anything."
--Dr. John Jang, professor of government and global studies
"To imagine that the United States could be penetrated so deeply into our heart economically and defensively is absolutely unfathomable." --Dr. Richard Gelm, associate professor of political science
"To imagine that the United States could be penetrated so deeply into our heart economically and defensively is absolutely unfathomable."
--Dr. Richard Gelm, associate professor of political science
"Being bombed is one thing, but then having our own planes taken over and used as weapons against us is a serious act." --Adrian Bean, senior
"Being bombed is one thing, but then having our own planes taken over and used as weapons against us is a serious act."
--Adrian Bean, senior
"First we have to attend to the immediate needs of people who were injured and the families that have suffered and provide support for them." --President Stephen Morgan
"First we have to attend to the immediate needs of people who were injured and the families that have suffered and provide support for them."
--President Stephen Morgan
"At first it was unbelievable. I was like, 'Is this really happening to us?' We think we're so well protected and nothing can ever happen in America." --Karla Flamenco, junior
"At first it was unbelievable. I was like, 'Is this really happening to us?' We think we're so well protected and nothing can ever happen in America."
--Karla Flamenco, junior
Christine Owen, Managing Editor
Christine Owen
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Tom Galaraga, Assistant Managing Editor
Tom Galaraga
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Lauren Wooding
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Jason Cooper, Staff Photographer
Jason Cooper
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University of La Verne graduate Liz Lucsko, recently earned a Masters in photography from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York. Lucsko currently teaches Elementary Photography as a part-time faculty member. Her photography exhibit, “Banning – Stagecoach Town USA,” is on display in the Irene Carlson Gallery of Photography, and closes today. Lucsko’s interest in portrait photography has helped her personalize the photographic act for her students. / photo by Nancy Dyleuth
Liz Lucsko
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