Columbia University will be open and classes will be held on Wednesday, September 12 unless city, state or federal authorities mandate otherwise. There may be some classes that cannot be held because an individual faculty member is unable to reach campus or there may be other circumstances that make it impossible for certain classes to meet. Students should check with their school or department. If classes are held, as is anticipated, many faculty members, of course, may want to discuss issues stemming from Tuesday's tragic terrorist attack. Employees who cannot get to work on Wednesday should notify their supervisor.

Counselors from Counseling and Psychological Services (854-2878) and Residential Life as well members of the deans' offices and many other administrators continue to be available to work with students. The Chaplain and staff from our campus ministries (854-1493) will also be available to assist students in St. Paul's Chapel and Earl Hall.

The following is a guide to transportation updates, accommodations for University commuters, and volunteer information for those interested in helping New York City in the coming days:

Transportation: Transportation in and out of Manhattan may be difficult. Limited subway, train service and bridge access is now available. For current information on bridge closures and mass transportation, click http://www.nyc.gov/emerg_news.html. For a list of operating MTA subways and rail click http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/.

University shuttle to Metro North: For faculty, staff and students who commute via Metro North, a 15-person blue Columbia University Shuttle will run from 116th and Broadway to the Metro North station at 125th from 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesday evening. Columbia Shuttle Service will resume from 7 to 11 a.m. Wednesday morning. Pick up is at 125th and Park Avenue. The shuttle will be running continuously during peak transit hours (7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.)

Accommodations for students: Should commuting students find it difficult to get home, sleeping accommodations are available in Alfred Lerner Hall. Students should sign in at the Lerner Hall security desk. Lerner can accommodate several hundred students.

Accommodations for faculty and staff: Staff in need of overnight accommodations should contact the office of Steve Rittenberg, vice provost for academic administration at 854-2254. The vice provost's staff will match commuters in need of a place to stay with one of the 200 Columbia faculty, staff and students who volunteered to accommodate people overnight.

Volunteers for blood-drive: Area hospitals have been inundated with people wishing to donate blood and are no longer accepting donors. Should there be additional need, Columbia Health and Related Services will assist area hospitals by pre-screening blood donors and sending them to the appropriate location. For updates on the blood drive click http://www.health.columbia.edu/