College campuses throughout the country canceled classes, held prayer vigils and blood drives and assisted students and faculty in need after Tuesday’s events, but most returned to normal operations yesterday.

At Iowa State, some students already were seated in classrooms when Tuesday’s explosions on the East Coast started. A large television was set up in the Memorial Union for interested students. Faculty and staff were encouraged to discuss the situation as was appropriate, said John McCarroll, director of university relations.

“Classes were already underway, and because things were unfolding all day, we decided we would try to provide as normal an atmosphere as possible,” McCarroll said. “I think all of us were impressed with the way students are handling this.”

The University of Wisconsin-Madison held activities similar to Iowa State’s.

A candlelight vigil was held in the school mall, an interfaith service was hosted by the Lutheran centers on campus and professors were encouraged to hold discussion groups and moments of silence as time allowed, said Assistant Dean of Students Brett Underhill.

University of Iowa officials chose to continue as usual to help limit anxiety and keep students on a normal schedule, said Phillip Jones, vice president of student services.

“We felt that canceling classes was not the most appropriate response,” Jones said. “We felt honoring those in harm and those who died through individual class discussions and an evening prayer vigil was much more appropriate. We cannot be paralyzed by violence.”

Bill Burton, news bureau director at University of Illinois-Chicago, said the school chose to cancel classes beginning at noon Tuesday. A campus memorial was held outside of the student counseling center, and the facility was open to students and faculty in need.

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities also canceled classes, said Amy Phenix, director of news relations.

“We did it in recognition of the feelings people held,” she said. “There was no way anyone wanted to work or learn after the morning events.”

The president of the school wrote a letter to the university and community, which was printed in the student newspaper and e-mailed to students and faculty, Phenix said.

“We have communicated with students and faculty about the resources available on campus for counseling, international students and professors, blood donation centers and information on where to call about victims and others involved,” she said.

Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind. canceled classes Tuesday and held a day of prayer with more than 100 priests. Essential staff remained on campus, as did rectors and staff who were available to students for advice and spiritual support, according to the university’s Web site.

Five residence halls have been closed at New York University until further notice.

Students living in these facilities either have made temporary sleeping arrangements with friends, or are being accommodated at a recreation center.

Classes at NYU, which has more than 50,000 students and is just minutes away from the World Trade Center, were canceled Tuesday, Wednesday and today.