"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and friends of those lost or injured in today's national tragedy. This is a time for prayer and vigilance — and I ask that everyone in the UT System continue to operate in support of our student, faculty, staff and patient populations throughout the state. Our campuses are havens for academic freedom and service to society. It is our obligation to continue to serve those noble ends.

I have asked that wherever possible all of our campuses and administrative offices continue to provide classroom instruction, research, health care and support services on a normal basis. At the direction of Gov. Perry, I have also asked that all of our campuses fly State flags at half-staff in commemoration and sympathy for this great tragedy our country has experienced.

This is a day none of us will forget."

Chancellor Burck announced that UT System health care institutions will provide, if needed, the assistance of medical staff and facilities to the people of New York City and Washington D.C. Dr. Cigarroa offered the following Health Science Center services: critical pulmonary care, forensic services and identification, reconstructive surgery, trauma surgery, nursing and laboratory services including collaboration with such professionals as microbiologists (for detection of biological threat), counselors and psychologists, and stress debriefing teams, as well as the training of emergency medical services personnel and instructors at no cost and at an accelerated certification level, to help replenish lost manpower.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. might leave a permanent scar on the United States, but a group of UTHSC students are doing all they can to help nurse the country back to health.

The chapter of the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) at the UTHSC is collecting donations to assist the victims of the World Trade Center attack. The NSNA will forward all funds to the United Way of New York City.

The organization has set up collection points in the School of Nursing. Anyone interested can mail a check to: UTHSC, School of Nursing, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX, 78229. Checks should be made payable to NSNA.

A local dance troupe featuring some of the UTHSC nursing students also will lend support. The Guadalupe Dance Company will donate proceeds from a Mexican Folklorica performance scheduled for this Saturday. The money will go to the World Trade Center Fund.

The performance was originally in celebration of the Mexican holiday El Diez y Seis de Septiembre, but in light of the terrorist attacks, the dancers decided the show should benefit America.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 1300 Guadalupe St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased in advance by calling 351-7787.