In my position in the Office of Admissions, I work with the admission and recruitment of international students. Since the chilling terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, I have received e-mails and phone calls from parents of international students expressing their sorrow about the attacks and their concern about their sons and daughters enrolled at Iowa State.

Are they in danger? Are they being treated differently? Should they come home? I also worried about the possible repercussions the events might have on our international students. I have been carefully watching the reactions of our student body, hoping that people would not fall prey to suspicion and hate.

I have not been disappointed. I have observed international students at the Union, on the sidewalks and in the classrooms being treated with kindness, respect and compassion, and I have seen international students going out of their way to support their American classmates.

I commend you all for your common sense, maturity, and compassion. I can now reassure those parents that their children are, indeed, safe and cared for by their classmates and friends at Iowa State. Thank you.

Patricia Parker

Assistant Director of Admissions

100 Alumni Hall