By Jack Jeffery
University Communications and Marketing
Dean of Students Terry Hogan has noticed a change in students' behavior in several areas since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. He has observed the changes most vividly in students' attitudes about themselves, their country and their priorities.
"It's been interesting. There are probably four areas where we've noticed some changes," Hogan noted. "First of all, in some cases, students are more patriotic in showing feelings about allegiance to their own country. Second, many have a sense of a closer relationship with family members, and people are more concerned with maintaining that," Hogan said.
"For some students, they have a growing interest in what's going on in the world and the politics that were reflected in the events of Sept. 11," he continued. "Finally, for some there is a reorganization of priorities and a reexamination of what's important in their careers and their lives."
Hogan commented that, while all students are affected by Sept. 11, each student has a different response to the attack and the aftermath of that day, Hogan said.
"We've noticed none of these changes is universal with all students. For some, they've seen this as an opportunity to reconsider their career plans. This has become an opportunity to do something differently because they see their role very differently," Hogan said.
For many, it has been a time of thoughtful consideration of events, movements and circumstances that seemed foreign a year ago. It is a proper response for young people who are preparing to take on leadership roles, he noted.
"As an educational institution, one of the outcomes of going through this experience is that students should be thinking about their world and what's happening in it. They are considering the political, social and religious forces and how these things are playing out. Students are asking questions and seeking answers. That's what higher education is about," Hogan concluded.
