Michigan border unprotected, lax By Andrew M ack Daly Staff Reporter REMEMBERING 9/11/01 The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 12, 2002 -11A 'U' gives staff, students ways to remember day "It's not something I even think about a lot' LSA freshman Allie McGongle said. She said she feels more threatened in her hometown of Chicago because it is a more likely target than Ann Arbor for terrorist attacks. But opinions about Michigan's recently bolstered border with Canada vary. LSA sophomore Kikora Hosey said, "I go through Detroit often. It is a hassle." But Hosey added she is sacred of how easily people can get across the borders that consist of wilderness and water. Chief Patrol Agent Daniel Geoghegan of the Detroit Sector Border Patrol said Michigan border security has been improving steadily since Sept. 11. "The number of agents in this sector has been doubled," Geoghegan said. "The strategy is forward deployment to deter unlawful entry of persons into the coun- try." Geoghegan added that the agents detailed are not "fresh out of the acade- my," but seasoned veterans from states on the southern border such as California and Texas. "With the additional resources, I feel better than I did last year, and I am given to understand we will be receiving additional resources in the future." The Detroit Sector Border Patrol, which handles all border security for Michi- gan, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana, has also received a helicopter and better, undis- closed technology. For the past year, National Guard units have been assisting the U.S. Border Patrol, Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service. "We had 54 troops on duty as early as three days after the attack," said Lt. Gen. Gordon Stump, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard. Stump added that the National Guard's presence on the border was temporary. Its units have already been withdrawn from the Detroit Sector Border Patrol and INS, and after mid-October, its deployment in Customs will be reduced to two soldiers. But Stump stressed that their presence was not intended to be intimidating. "We were there to help them do their jobs. ... The National Guard is a diverse force that is flexible and ready to step up to most missions that involve homeland FILE PHOTO/Daily For more than 70 years, the Ambassador Bridge has connected Windsor, Ontario and Detroit. security." The Detroit District INS has also augmented its presence. "We have received funding for 105 new positions, a technological upgrade and an overhaul of our computer systems," said Carol Jenifer, director of INS Detroit District. While the increase in security has not caught any terrorists, it has caught many trying to smuggle illegal immigrants from countries such as China. Jenifer added thAt they have also managed to keep traffic through Detroit down to acceptable levels, backing down from the post-Sept. 11 12-14 hour waits. "Traffic has been moving good for the past month." However, some have had different experiences in Detroit, experiencing long lines and extensive searches. "Going to Canada, I see that it's more thorough," Kinesiology senior Adam Rabin said. "I don't mind waiting at the border because they are trying to protect us. It's something I wish more people would understand and appreciate. .. It's unfortunate that it took an event like Sept. 11 to realize the lack of security." By Megan Hayes Daily Staff Reporter Although classes continued as scheduled yesterday, University stu- dents still found time to honor the memory of Sept. 11 in their own ways, aided by overwhelming facul- ty and administration support. Frank Cianciola, Senior Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, said the University has taken great steps to support students in whatev- er way they chose to cope with the tragedy. He said events were scheduled by a variety of organizations and departments in an attempt to recog- nize the multiple impacts the anniversary of tragedy will have on students. "It is a very personal moment," he said. "There is no one right answer, no one right approach." LSA sophomore Leah Hangarter said she noticed a particular feeling of togetherness on campus which she said was encouraged by the active role the University adminis- tration took in sponsoring various events. "They are trying to do what they can to make this day recognized and show its importance to students," she said. However, Hangarter said the vari- ous University events were not the only way, or even the best way, for students to spend the day. "It's how- ever each person feels dealing with the tragedy will benefit them most," she said. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, Assis- tant Dean of Students, said effective coping is going to mean different things to different people. "We know we have a really diverse community and we want to make sure people's needs are respected and that we support them," she said. In reference to the continuation of classes, Pinder-Amaker said, "I think there can be something very comforting in that routine during a stressful time." "Most people do function more effectively with structure in place," she said. Families connect with phones, Internet Many students said they wel- comed the structure a normal sched- ule of classes provided. "You want to continue the sentiment of moving forward rather than dwelling on it," LSA senior Jackie Reitzes said. "I feel the entire point (of today) was to move on and reclaim daily life and routine." Reitzes said she was encouraged by the numerous events the Univer- sity and other organizations had scheduled for the day, but found special significance in the symbolic value of last year's vigil. "It's a strong sign of commitment that a year ago we gathered as a community, as a resistance to what happened," she said. She added that she saw last night's vigil as a way to "remind each other of our commu- nity ties." Some students were not as opti- mistic. As he observed students congre- gating in the Diag, Engineering sen- ior Michael Solo said he failed to see many students who were gen- uinely coping with tragedy. He admitted there is a need to recognize and remember, but he said things have changed since last Sept. and people have since moved on. When asked if he could find any benefit in the day's events com- memorating Sept. 11, he said, "The fad of patriotism has lasted a whole year - maybe it'll last another." "I guess there's a benefit in that." Despite doubts by some regarding University students' commitment to this day of remembrance, others transcended geographic and cultural barriers to show support for the country. Grad student Lena Kuester, who resides permanently in Berlin, Ger- many, said she is very happy to be here in the United States on this day. Over her heart she wore a pin depicting two flags side by side - one German and one American, which she said bought specifically to wear this day. "I want to show Americans I am from Germany and that Germany is sympathetic (to America's cause) as well," Kuester said. By Karen Schwartz Daily Staff Reporter When Nursing sophomore Erica Farrell got out of class at 11:45 a.m. last Sept. 11, she learned about the tragedy that struck the nation and started dialing. She called her parents who live in Lake Orion, tried to reach relatives who worked in New York and spent hours on America Online Instant Messenger getting in touch with friends. Internet technology allowed her to connect with fam- ily and friends and having a cell phone made it possible for her to check in at home before and between classes on the days following Sept. 11 as she waited for phone lines to become available. "I was trying to check and make sure everyone was safe and at home and nobody had been injured," she said. Sept. 11 sent students flocking to computers and cell phones last year as they tried to connect with loved ones despite busy signals and servers slowed by the amount of traffic they were handling. Kevin McGowan, webmaster for Information Tech- nology Central Services, said the central e-mail service, and web-based e-mail programs saw a much higher vol- ume of traffic on Sept. 11 and in the few weeks that fol- lowed. "They got a lot more heavily used," he said, adding that more messages being transferred and a higher number of people online con- tributed to two extremely busy weeks. "There was a definite increase as a result of (Sept. 11), but then it went back to normal levels," he said. But Farrell said Sept. 11 had an impact on the num- ber of people she keeps in touch with through e-mail indefinitely. "The initial shock - the tragedy - you realize how much you take for granted and how people aren't always going to be there when you want them to be," she said. "You realize how much you want to keep your family and friends closer to you." The Pew Internet & American Life Project found in a July survey that 19 million Americans used e-mail after Sept. 11 to rekindle relationships with family, friends and others they had not con- nected with in years. The survey also found that of those who re-connected with others, 83 percent continued those relationships during the past year. Following Sept. 11, scores ofAmerican internet users are sending more e-mail, getting news and information online, seeking out government websites and giving donations via the internet because of the attacks, according to the survey. In addition to using e-mail and instant messag- ing to stay connected, Farrell said her cell phone usage has increased. "I definitely use my cell phone a lot more than I ever have, calling friends and family out of state," she said. "It's much more convenient to keep in touch with technology." John Jabero, owner of Wireless Toyz on Fourth and Washington Streets, said he has seen a rise in cell phone business in general, part of which he attributes to Sept. 11. He added that affordability of cell phones has also contributed to the trend. "I have seen a rise but I think it has a little bit to do with that - for people to have a cell phone if something does happen, for them to reach someone, but some of the plans are a lot cheaper so people can afford them - so that also, I think, has something to do with it," he said. Jabero said caution seems to be a prime concern not only in the case of Sept. 11, but also for safety and security of people's children. 'Students move on, cope without help By Samantha Woll Daily Staff Reporter Though resources were made wide- ly available for students to reflect on the historic anniversary of Sept. 11, many did not feel the need to take advantage of "Our Community Reflects" an effort created on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs to allow students to express their feel- ings. Perhaps due to low publicity or indifference, the community reflec- tion offered in the Kuenzel Room of the Michigan Union had considerably low attendance. "Our Community Reflects" con- sisted of staff from the Division of Student Affairs as well as Counseling and Psychological Services with extended hours - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. - in an attempt to fit students' busy schedules and provide an opportunity for students to come together and talk about their feelings, thoughts and memories with respect to Sept. 11. "We, as a division, wanted to pro- vide a physical space but also the metaphor of space on the anniversary of Sept. 11, a place for students and for staff to come, write reflections, memories ..." said Todd Sevig, direc- tor of CAPS. Recognizing that this affected peo- ple in many different ways - physi- cally, psychologically and emotionally - Sevig emphasized the importance of coming together as a community on this significant day. Students' reflections, which were written on a banner laying in the cen- ter of the room, ranged from, "I don't know what to say" to "we miss you." One student captured an underlying "It was just supposed to be a normal day and guess it was." - Dustin Oswald LSA junior mood of the day when she wrote, "It was an awful event, but I know our country can move on." "I remember on (Sept. 12), of the first day of grounded flights, one mil- itary fighter jets were the only planes in the sky in Ann Arbor, guarding the territory and they flew so low and loud they set off all the car alarms in the neighborhood - you knew who was in charge," LSA junior Dustin Oswald wrote. But despite efforts made by some to come to the room yesterday, overall traffic throughout the day was low. The general ambiance of the room was quieter than anticipated, though nobody really knew what to expect. Several members of the University community said it seemed odd that in many ways, the day was just like any other day. "It was just supposed to be a nor- mal day and I guess it was," Oswald said, echoing the sentiments of many students. Space Available Now! 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