Ohio State has stepped up efforts to maintain peace in the university community in the aftermath of the terrorist acts in New York City and Washington, D.C.

The Office of International Education has met with President Kirwan, Counseling and Consultation Services, University Police and the Office of Student Affairs to plan events and services to help all students cope with the tragedy as they begin a new academic year.

As the director of the Middle East Studies Center as well as a coordinator in the Office of International Education, Alam Payind has already witnessed instances of mistreatment on OSU’s campus.

“Some students have come to me and my colleagues, and a small group have experienced verbal abuse,” Payind said. “Foreign students feel sympathetic, but at the same time some of them think they are now associated, wrongly, with the terrorist groups,” Payind said.

John Greisberger, director of the Office of International Education, said e-mails were sent to all international students and faculty, advising them to keep a low profile while the country copes with intense feelings of sadness and outrage.

“At times like this, an individual’s emotions may get the upper hand,” Greisberger said. “Most Americans are friendly and welcoming, but if a person is on the receiving end of these emotions, they should go to the counseling center or call 9-1-1 if necessary.”

Calls and e-mails began pouring into the International Student Affairs Office Tuesday, as many students reported being stranded across the country, concerned about missing orientation and frightened by the terrorist acts.

Sherif Barsoum, coordinator of International Students and Scholars, said the situation is even more tense for some international students.

“Students are scared of the world situation. When you don’t speak a lot of English, it’s already hard to fit in in the United States. It’s added pressure when people look at you as a target, or as a suspect,” Barsoum said.

Payind has given numerous interviews to local media and community groups, and believes OSU should use all resources available to educate both the university and surrounding community.

“Plans are under way for teach-ins to share the expertise of the Ohio State University with a larger audience, to be more informed about what happened and how to deal with this national and international tragedy,” Payind said.

Payind added that Margaret Mills, chair of the Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department, is working to add a class to fall quarter’s schedule, tentatively titled “Fear, Hate and Conflict Management.” The class would focus on current world events and would be cross-listed as Near Eastern Language and Culture 694 and Comparative Studies 651.

Payind said, to the best of his knowledge, the average American is uninformed concerning the dynamics of the Middle East. Many Americans cannot differentiate between Arab and Muslim, are not aware that many Middle Eastern countries are already victims of ongoing terrorism, and have alliances with the United States.

“There are many Middle Eastern countries which are friends and allies of the United States against terrorism,” Payind said. “These governments are fighting terrorism in their own countries.”

Arab student Heba Benomran is pleased with Ohio State’s efforts to promote peace and discourage backlash against foreign students, but she is still concerned.

“What Ohio State is doing is good, but I’m looking forward to seeing what happens when classes start Wednesday,” Benomran said.

In addition to efforts at home, Ohio State has also made efforts to contact students involved in international study programs.

Mary Lynn Thalheimer, director of the Ohio 4-H International Programs through OSU Extension, said all foreign exchange students in the program have called home, and all Ohio State students studying overseas have been contacted to ensure they are safe and informed of any developments.

Thalheimer added that the program will be revamped to include more security as part of orientation, as well as new travel guidelines. She hopes that the incidents do not prevent students from participating in the exchange program.

“If we stop living life, it sends the message that terrorism works,” Thalheimer said. “If it prevents people from going overseas and learning about other cultures, that would be a sad result.”

In addition to increased security, counseling and information, Ohio State has a candlelight vigil planned for 7:30 Wednesday night on the Oval and an extensive teach-in on Thursday. Ohio State President William “Brit ” Kirwan hopes these events will “give perspective” to the recent terrorist acts and create a welcome environment for international students and faculty.

“This is a university that values diversity and is enriched by their presence,” Kirwan said. “They should feel supported and that we stand ready to assist them in any way we can.”