There is only one subject of discussion this week, and we, as everyone on campus, are struck and saddened by the events of Sept. 11. The impact of that tragedy is felt as deeply here on campus as it is throughout the world. There is nothing more that the editors of this newspaper need say on the subject. Our purpose upon this occasion, as at all times, is to provide the community we serve with an open forum.

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, two individuals stopped by our offices and hand delivered eloquently written opinion pieces-and it cheered our hearts on an otherwise darkened day. The purpose of these pages is to provide a space for UMB community members to express their views, to debate, to reply to each other in a public space. And we strongly encourage this.

At this particular time we think this can prove especially valuable. The author whose opinion is featured on this page said to an editor, with a small smile as he left, “I feel better now.” That is how the act of writing can often affect a person, by writing thoughts down, by making them public, sometimes those thoughts will cease to gnaw at the originator.

The act of writing an opinion piece or a letter to the editor can be cathartic. And it can be simple, just send an e-mail to [email protected]