Boston Marathon Blasts Kill 3, Injure More Than 150

Marsh Plaza vigil Tuesday night

April 15, 2013
95
Twitter Facebook

Two explosions rocked the finish line of the Marathon about 3 p.m. on Monday, killing 3 people and injuring more than 150 others. At least 20 victims are being treated at Boston Medical Center. Boston University Police have been working with Boston Police on an investigation of the blasts, which has been taken over by the FBI.

In a note sent to the BU community Monday evening, President Robert A. Brown said the University will work with safety officials “to understand as much as we can about what has happened.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have experienced a dreadful loss, and with those whose loved ones are terribly injured,” he said.

A vigil for the victims of the blast will be held on Marsh Plaza at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Rev. Robert Hill, dean of Marsh Chapel, will open the ceremony, and Brother Larry Whitney (STH’09,’15), the University chaplain for community life, will give the closing prayer. Also, a town hall-style meeting with chaplains and counselors will take place at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday in the George Sherman Union ballroom, 775 Commonwealth Ave.

Also tonight, BUTV will present a special report, Terror at the Finish Line, at 7 p.m.

Scott Paré, BU’s deputy director of public safety and BUPD deputy police chief, asks all students to immediately report any suspicious packages to the BU police at 617-353-2110.

One BU student was  injured and is in stable condition at Boston Medical Center. Peter Fiedler (COM’77), vice president for administrative services, says several medical volunteers from Student Health Services were working in the medical tent at the finish line. Those volunteers, who went into action the moment the blast occurred, are unhurt. Kenneth Elmore, dean of students, says the Boston Police have not indicated that there are any threats to the Boston University community. Elmore (SED’87) says all athletes associated with the University who took part in the race are safe and accounted for. Many people used the #OKatBU hashtag to share information.

Explosion at the 117th Boston Marathon finish line 2013
Photo courtesy of AP Images

University officials announced Monday evening that the University would resume its normal schedule on Tuesday.

The MBTA shut down the Green Line B and C line trolleys for much of Monday afternoon and early evening. All service has been restored except for Copley station, which remains closed. Find MBTA alert updates here. Family members looking for missing loved ones were able to call the Mayor’s hotline at 617-635-4500. Cell phone service in Boston, which was shut down at the height of the bombing, was restored to most parts of the city by Monday evening.

Students are asked to contact their parents and loved ones to let them know that they are safe. Although cell phone service was down on Monday in some parts of town, texting and email was been functioning.

Marsh Chapel is open throughout Tuesday for prayer, with remembrance candles available for those who want to light them and chaplains available to talk, says Hill. There will also be printed recommendations for scripture readings and appropriate prayers. Hill has visited the injured BU student in the hospital.

About 120 people came through the chapel Monday after the tragedy, some in shock—”We had blankets and so on,” Hill says—while many just needed to talk to chaplains or handle logistical matters like using computers.

Rev. John McLaughlin, BU’s Catholic chaplain, returned to campus to open the Catholic Student Center Monday. “Our students assembled to talk and feel safe together,” he says. He announced at 6 p.m. that there would be a special Mass for the dead and injured at 7 p.m. at Marsh Chapel; by 7, the chapel was full, he says.

“I spoke to them about the events and the need to come together and pray,” McLaughlin says. “It is what we are called to do.” Students shared a meal afterward.

Dan Mercurio (COM’10), coordinator of spirit programs at BU’s Student Activities Office, says that he had just crossed the Marathon finish line when the explosion happened. He describes the experience as “surreal.”

“I was running with a friend, and we heard a loud explosion,” Mercurio says. “At first we thought it was someone shooting off a firework, but there was way too much smoke and commotion, and that’s when we realized it was a bomb. Before we could even make sense of it, a second bomb went off. It was a chaotic scene with runners scrambling to get out of the area and tripping over each other. My ears are still ringing.”

Tim Kelly (CAS’09, SED’11), who ran the marathon to benefit the American Liver Foundation and whose story was profiled in BU Today, made it to the 25.5-mile mark before the explosions. He is safe and uninjured.

Officials at Logan Airport warn travelers to expect delays because of increased security. People are being asked to remain out of the Copley Square area until further notice.

Counseling is available through the Dean of Students Office, from Marsh Chapel chaplains, at Student Health Services, and at the Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center (SARP). Chaplains can be reached at 617-353-3560. SHS counselors can be reached at 617-353-3575. SARP can be reached at 617-353-7277. An SHS Behavioral Medicine provider can be reached at 617-353-3569.

  • Share this story
  • 95 Comments Add

Share

Boston Marathon Blasts Kill 3, Injure More Than 150

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 95 comments on Boston Marathon Blasts Kill 3, Injure More Than 150

  1. I am upset as a parent of a freshman who was close to the explosion site that there is no statement issued to all parents. We are in Indiana and have to rely on our daughter’s reports (she is scared in her dorm), were are the BU officials when you need them? Are the students safe to go to their classes tomorrow? We need answers.

    1. I am a student here and you can trust me when I say all the student’s are safe that are on campus. I have personally received 20+ BU alerts notifying us of what is going on, constantly keeping us up to date. I am sure the administration will get to you shortly. I don’t usually defend the administration here, but in this case, just rest easy for the time being.

    2. The university has been issuing statements for hours ma’am. I, too, live close to the finish line and I think BU officials did a great job at trying to make sure everyone was safe, including sending 4 or 5 texts and emails. BUPD had to clear thousands as the marathon pretty much runs along some campus housing. You should’ve received an email by the university president as well. Students were told hours ago that they could return to class. If you ha e not been getting any updates, perhaps you can ask your daughter about updating the emergency contact info on student link so you could get them as well.

    3. Students are adults, the university is not responsible for getting you information, only the adult student. They’re genuinely doing the best they can, everyone is right now.

    4. To izabela kenney: I can imagine how you feel with worry when you here of this tragedy in Boston. First, You are in the right place and have just read this article. THIS is the best place for info FROM BU at a time like this BUTODAY has the letter from Pres. Brown. and this article and more will come. If your daughter is in her dorm, she IS SAFE although she may be scared. Call her, hearing from YOU will help. I called my son 3 times tonight just to check in and remind him that we are here for him. You may want to suggest that she reach out to her RA (resident dorm advisor) if she’s worried or concerned. PLEASE KNOW that she’s not anywhere near the crime scene area and that the area is secure. You can Always call the Dean of Students office 617.353.4126 . Or Student Health Services at 617-353-3575 and they can direct your concerns. BU has announced that classes will be held as normal Tuesday. I KNOW the BU OFFICIALS are on top of this. I would suggest that you ask your daughter to forward all the text messages and emails that she got today FROM BU to YOU!You’ll see that they are fast with important news! Make sure that she talks to her most MATURE friends. If she seems really traumatized by the events, have her call 617-353-3569 & they’ll do crisis intervention.
      Despite today’s tragedy, Boston is still a safe city for sensible students. Your daughter is safe and you and many at BU love her and she will be fine.

  2. Today has been one of the most terrifying days of our lives. We spent hours attempting to call friends and family, just to ensure that they were still alive. Phone call after phone call went directly to voicemail, each unanswered call making our heart beat faster, the tears well up more in our eyes, and our hands shake more violently. Our parents were heaving when they finally got through, near physical sickness at the thought of losing their child. While I am not surprised at your decision to hold classes tomorrow, I think it is a truly one of the most unsympathetic decisions you could have ever made. Students are mentally exhausted, and no one will sleep enough tonight to ramify that. Tomorrow should be a day of mourning, a day to cry and be with friends and family, definitely not a day to function as a normal student. I beg you to reconsider your decision; as a parent, would you expect your son or daughter to cope that quickly?

    1. I’m sorry, but how dare you say the university is being unsympathetic. This has been a hard day on everyone, and the school has verified the safety of the campus and its student, faculty, and staff body for tomorrow. I understand classes may be more solemn than usual, but because a student does not feel like going to classes tomorrow they should disrupt the lives of about 50,000 people that shutting down the university would cause.

      1. Do you really think on a day like this you should respond to someone’s comment with so much hostility? I think the point is not that classes might be “more solemn” and far more that classes may be pointless if most of the students are unsettled and distracted.

      2. I get what you’re saying, but it goes beyond not feeling like going to classes tomorrow. There were a solid number of students who saw the bombs go off, who were in the middle of the chaos. This wasn’t just a “hard day” for them. They thought they were going to die. Even though it wasn’t the case for everybody, this was an extreme circumstance, and it effected enough people for the decision to be considered unsympathetic.

        1. Then those students should absolutely take a day off, talk with a professional from student health services, and be excused. The entire university does not need to close.

    2. I completely agree. For students that live in Kenmore, we were urged to stay away from the area for most of the day. I walked miles today to get away from the finish line and out of Boston while bomb threats were being investigated, and just returned home an hour ago. I am mentally and physically exhausted, and concerned for my safety. I appreciate the rapid response of the BPD and BUPD but I still think that choosing to have class tomorrow is extremely inappropriate. The news is saying to stay inside and not to be in large groups, commonwealth ave will be filled with the whole BU student body if classes are held. People are being urged to stay out of the city. I think that the majority of the student body needs time to recover from what happened today. Thankfully there is only one student physically injured, but many people need time to recover from what they saw and experienced today.

    3. You are not alone. One bomber got to you and the whole country today. You clearly are upset and exhausted. But, I think BU is right to hold classes. first, because it will do you all good to get out and get back to your daily life. It will do you good to get out there woith the rest of BU and be ‘there for each other’. It sounds corny, but getting to class will be a learning experience. But NOT the subject of the class; you’ll all be talking and sharing your common experiences of today’s senseless tragedy. You’ll learn that it’s good to share at these times. It will help to get out and find that other feel the same as you. AND you’ll also get comfort from your friends and you’ll be helped by them in moving on through the day TOGETHER because they are GOOD friends! Remember that one bad bomber was followed by 1000’s of GOOD EMTS, doctors, voluntters, and emergency response personnel. GOOD PEOPLE HELPED the victims, GOOD people did very dangerous work and DISMANTLED bombs found. One bad bomber was OUTWEIGHED by 1000’s of VERY GOOD PEOPLE IN BOSTON! Remember that you ARE safe tonight! Call family and friends, let them know you are OK, and FEEL AND HEAR THEIR LOVE for you! You will be okay.

      1. Very well said, Gary. I totally agree. It is times like these where you need to lean on your fellow students or be the student that someone may need to lean on. You are not alone…

      2. absolutely agree and this makes the most sense of this tragedy, everyone needs to get back to normalcy and not allow this tragedy to hold them hostage today or any other day.

    4. I can understand and appreciate how upset you are, but FWIW, my workplace, which is in downtown Boston, will be business as usual tomorrow, as it was this afternoon. While the security team at work monitored the situation and gave us updates, we were still expected to do our job. If they had deemed there to be a definite threat to us they would have closed early, but as it was we weren’t in any immediate danger, so it was business as usual. I say this just to let you know that when you graduate you’ll be expected to carry on, as emotionally difficult as it may be at times.

      I even had to go to work on September 12, 2001. I didn’t get much done, but I was there, and honestly being around my colleagues helped because we could talk about what was going on. If they had closed for the week I probably would have stayed at home and watched the news all day, which would have made me even more depressed and anxious.

      So, as hard as it may seem, it may actually be good to go to class tomorrow, focus on something else, and get support from your classmates and professors.

      1. I am a BU student who went to class today though I was very shaken by the recent events and having watched the marathon in person. I agree that even though today may have been unproductive I was relieved to go to school and see my friends and caring teachers. (As CubicleGirl also believes, had school been closed I would have stayed home and been more anxious/depressed/traumatized by watching the news and felt very very alone.) Surprisingly, teachers at BU were extremely (above and beyond) sympathetic and took time to talk about the incident and speak with students regarding the incident. This helped relieve a lot of depression and anxiety by not feeling alone and being able to express myself. I didn’t want to go to class honestly but am very glad that I did. This degree of trauma can only be healed with ample love and care from those around us.

    5. In the end, the greatest sign of strength that we can offer as Bostonians is to go on. If Boston University were to cancel classes—if the city were to slow down in any way—the perpetrators would win. The BU Community can show its strength today by assembling in classrooms, offices, and labs as usual.

    6. I can relate to all of the students, I was an undergrad student in New York during 9-11. It is scary and mentally exhausting to be living through this. I will tell you, that we also returned to class within 48 hours – going to class and moving forward will help. Talk to your parents and be with your friends. The whole BU community: professors, students, and alumni are behind you, thinking of you and praying for you!

  3. I cannot believe BU is still holding class tomorrow. Several more bombs were found that did not go off–can anyone at BU personally guarantee me that I will get to class and back home safely tomorrow? What would be the harm in calling off class? Do you really think there is anyone who would not be happy for a day to regroup mentally after the horrors of today? Many of us were close enough to hear the bombs go off and feel very vulnerable and frightened. This is a truly ridiculous, offensive decision on BU’s part.

    1. So we regroup and collect ourselves, avoid the danger for what might seem like a day. It doesn’t mean that the one responsible has been caught in that day and that we’re all magically safe. With the person out there, the danger is always present, from the day of the tragedy until they are caught. Canceling classes has no effect whatsoever on preventing it from happening again. Would you rather classes be cancelled indefinitely until the person is caught so that we know that we’re safe?

      1. Of course not. I want classes canceled for one more day since twenty minutes ago ANOTHER undetonated bomb was found. I would like to feel a bit more reassured that they’ve found everything. I think it’s highly unlikely that whoever did this is going to try again in the same area, in the same city. I do think it’s possible that he or she or they left more bombs that haven’t been found, though.

  4. We should not have classes tomorrow. The explosion was extremely close to our campus and bombs have been found on our campus. It is not safe to send students to classes tomorrow just because BU wants to keep up with the schedule. Especially when we don’t know the source of this terrorism.

  5. This is the school that wanted us to attend class during Sandy. Now they expect us be unaffected after a traumatic event. Should this come as a surprise? I am beginning to doubt that this university cares about its students.

    1. All classes were cancelled during sandy. Not to mention, Boston was barely hit by the storm. BU is doing all it can to keep its students, professors and staff secure. Instead of critizing BU, you should be a bit more supportive. This was a hard day for everyone, but being angry won’t help.

  6. As a parent of a freshman I feel extremely confident the administration is keeping the students up to date via texts, email, etc. Our son contacted me immediately to let us know he is safe, and has continued texting throughout the day. He tells me the administration is in constant contact with the students and I know he is getting the best information and advise from the BU administration and your daughter is probably getting the same info. I can empathize with you having your daughter far away, the fact she is at BU tells me she is bright and has a good head on her shoulders, rest assured they are providing all resources she may need. I hope she has some good friends in her dorm to comfort her. It’s a terrible and life changing tragedy the students have witnessed, know BU does everything well and I’m sure this will be true in their handling of this tragic day.

  7. I rarely defend BU’s administration, but for me as a student it’s a relief to have classes. It’s been such a hard day and I just want life to go on again. Of course I will be mourning and I’m extremely upset. I live right by Kenmore and two students who live with me escaped the explosions after they occurred. But having classes again makes me feel safe and gives me a small distraction to help calm down. Just my thoughts.

    1. It’s a fact that it may never be “solved.” in the way you might want it to be. As a senior, you must begin to realize that the world may never “be right,” and that the University would not be holding classes if there were nay danger to not only students, but all the thousands of faculty and staff here and on the medical campus as well. If you need the day off, or are seeking counseling help, or just huddling with friends who are between classes, your professors will understand. My experience is that NOT cringing in your room and getting on with LIFE immediately is the most meaningful tribute you can pay to those who died and were injured yesterday.

  8. It’s not that we want extra day off from school, but apparently students are scared to go back to classes.
    Also some of them were actually there and saw what happened at the explosion site.
    Just because people aren’t hurt physically doesn’t mean they are fine to attend classes.
    I can’t blame students for being scared after witnessing such a horrific disaster.

  9. I can’t believe BU is holding school tomorrow. I think this is an unwise decision that should be reevaluated. There’s so little information about the event/ situation, not a single suspect has been identified or arrested. For all we know they could be out there planning something else. I am worried for my daughter and the rest of the BU community, especially considering how close some of the BU classrooms are to Kenmore square.

  10. To those upset about the university’s decision to resume all scheduled activities tomorrow: the city of Boston needs to find the resilience President Obama spoke of when he addressed the nation this afternoon. The university stated earlier today that it would follow the lead of Governor Deval, who has declared Boston “open for business” as of tomorrow. While it would be appropriate professors to modify their lesson plans (professors are undoubtedly shaken and still reeling as well), disrupting the university’s schedule at a time when all Bostonians are doing the difficult work of resuming business as usual would be a failure to show solidarity with the city. Furthermore, students will most likely benefit more from going to their classes, where, again, the horror of this tragedy can be acknowledged, then from endlessly ruminating. As a proud member of the BU community and a proud citizen of Boston, I say, let’s show the world that we are not defeated, we will not live in fear, and the spirit of this great city cannot be crushed by the cowards who carried out this senseless act.

  11. Instead of ripping on the BU administration be happy and thankful you are okay. Tell your family you love them, give your classmates a hug tomorrow, and pray for the families of those affected by today’s events. Some people left home today to watch one of Boston’s favorite celebrations and didn’t make it home. It’s scary. I’m scared. If you don’t feel safe, then make the choice to stay home. No professor will punish you for that decision. If they do, they need to get their priorities in check. Instead of using this as a forum to bash BU or criticize decisions, use it as forum to remember those who were killed or injured today and honor those who put themselves at risk to help others.

    1. I don’t think anyone is arguing, well other than you. Students are traumatized and freaked out. I also disagree with you regarding professors not punishing students. When I went to BU, there were multiple professors on power trips that would document a students every move. This is NOT a forum to bash BU, but a COMMENTS area where students can FREELY EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS. Why don’t you, Mr./Ms. “Stop arguing…” STOP bashing students that are exercising their right to FREEDOM OF SPEECH ON PATRIOTS DAY. It is fine that you suggest using this as a forum to remember those who passed and were injured. When the Boston Police says that “TOMORROW WILL NOT BE AN ORDINARY DAY IN BOSTON,” why is BU holding activities without considering the said people that you think we should honor here?

  12. Okay honestly, I was hoping that classes tomorrow would be cancelled too. Not because I don’t feel safe, but because I don’t like waking up early to go to class. I admit that there is no reason not to go to class though. This is exactly what the terrorists that planned this wanted, for people to be afraid and to disrupt their daily lives. There is always a danger of something like this happening, and I don’t think it’s any more likely to happen the day after such an event. As for people not feeling safe, every time you get into a car, statistically you’re MUCH more at risk than you are at getting killed by a terrorist attack. Now quit whining and stop using a terrorist attack as a reason not to set your alarm for 8am tomorrow morning.

    1. For the students who saw the bombs go off, it’s not whining. The fact that you wanted to use it as an excuse doesn’t mean that other people aren’t genuinely shaken up. If you think class should go on that’s fine, but don’t shame other people for being a little upset over a near death experience.

  13. As a BU instructor I understand the concerns of the parents, students, and other teachers about holding classes tomorrow. However, BU is right to hold to a regular schedule tomorrow. Routine is as comforting to adults as it is to children. After a traumatic event the faster that people can reestablish a routine, the faster they can heal. The danger to people at BU tomorrow is actually probably less than any normal day because of the heightened security and because the attacks were clearly designed specifically for the Marathon. I personally plan to be lenient to any students who don’t feel comfortable coming to class; however, I am encouraging my students to attend classes, eat in the dining hall, visit with friends – remind themselves that their friends, classmates, and teachers are ok. See people in person and not just over Facebook.

    The best weapon we have against terrorists is to REFUSE TO BE AFRAID. Or at least to refuse to let someone else’s actions dictate the way you live your life.

  14. Stop using this tragedy to get out of classes. The bombs were not near the BU campus. They evacuated Kenmore Square as a precaution. Have some respect for people who were really in danger and/or wounded. If you’re that upset, just skip class. Simple as that. Like all businesses in Boston, terrorism (if that is the correct word) like this, will not impact daily routines. That is just letting them win.

    1. Way to be callous. It’s not simple for all of us to “just skip class”. Some of us lead workshops and are TAs and can’t “just skip class”. Seriously. How can you say something like this?

  15. To me, I don’t see a problem with BU resuming its normal schedule. Yes, it was a traumatic day for many, but most of us don’t want it to be crippling. I went to school on September 12, 2001, and I don’t see why I shouldn’t go to class tomorrow. For many, the best way to cope is to resume normalcy. For those of you who don’t want to go to class, fine, don’t go (and your decision should be respected by all your professors), but don’t think everyone wants to be cooped in their rooms all day in fear and solemnity.

  16. If you don’t feel safe then don’t go to class. Governor Patrick said Boston is open tomorrow and BU will rightfully follow suit. I expect professors to be reasonable if you’re frightened or delayed due to travel, but that should not hold up the rest of us who just want to get on with our lives.

  17. My daughter received a lovely email from a professor this evening expressing sympathy about the tragic events, “but you’re still having your exam tomorrow.” Really?! Wipe your tears and hit the books… But don’t congregate in groups, like the length of Commonwealth Ave tomorrow filled with BU students, our children.

    1. This is what I think is completely wrong. I don’t think BU was wrong for holding class today, but I do think it would have been the right thing to do for professors to postpone exams. It’s not the end of the world to move an exam date, and I know for one that I was completely unable to study after what happened. I was frantically trying to account for friends and family all afternoon, and lost hours of study time. Unfortunately it seems to be the BU trend that professors have no sympathy for this sort of thing…after all they are not the ones getting graded.

  18. I think that it is a good decision for BU to carry on and hold classes. Those who commit acts of terror want to install fear in their targets- but it up to us to stand strong and to stand against that. However, I don’t mean to underplay the tragedy that has happened today. I was away from the city today and I was still in shock over what has happened. My heart goes out to those who experienced first hand the terror and the pain that occurred today. I want to point out that for some, class will be the best way to begin healing. Even though classes are being held, it does not mean that those who are having a hard time have to attend. Email your professors and let them know if you need a day to recover- I guarantee that they will understand. If you are having a hard time coping with the stress, pain or shock, talk to your friends, professors, or even someone at Student Health Services. This is the time in which we need to stand together, to express our love and concern for each other, and to heal together.

  19. I feel Boston University is NOT a safe school. There have been murders, attacks, robberies and now bombings. What is happening in Boston? How is it this city is so out of control? Boston police and Boston University police need to get on the street. Walk the beat. Show their presence. Our students are not safe and I do not feel that the police have done a good job stopping crime. Reference the murder of an Indian student in Alston. Hold ups earlier this year at gunpoint. Police are good people but they need better smarter leadership.

    1. You should go to school in a gated, secured campus surrounded by armed guards and barbed wire where you will have 24/7 counseling services available to deal with your fears.

    2. If your child had gone to NYU, I imagine you’d be apoplectic with rage and fear given the daily series of murders, attacks, robberies and sometimes bombings that take place in the five boroughs.

    3. Crimes happen literally everywhere, even Smalltown, USA. I’m sorry that we live in an imperfect world. Also, you may have noticed in the videos that there were an extremely high number of police showing their presence at the time of the bombings. That’s clearly not a solution for this kind of crime.

    4. Boston University: Thank you from the whole of my heart and my family’s hearts for being such a responsible, informative, preventative and caring University. I was with Kate on Monday during the marathon and stayed through Wednesday. I saw first hand the “alert” system you have in place for your students. After the marathon bombings, Kate continued to receive alerts notifying her of BU casualties and warnings. While we were walking down Commonwealth Ave on Tuesday, she received an alert regarding a “suspicious” package on 725 Commonwealth Ave., across the street from her dorm and just a couple of blocks behind where we were walking. The alert was then followed in a couple minutes with a slew of emergency vehicles from the FBI, Boston Police, ATF, Boston Fire, BU Police and Ambulances. It was impressive to see first hand that Kate was notified even before emergency vehicles and personnel were on that scene. Thankfully she received the “cancelled alert” within 15 minutes for that false alarm package alert.Having left Boston on Wednesday, I never felt that Kate’s life was in danger, while BU instituted the “lock down” of the University. As long as she was within campus boundaries, I felt no fear, just apprehension in the form of fear. Your security was top notch. You truly put your arms around my precious daughter and protected her like her own parent….I guess that is what you are, while I am not near. Thank you. ♥

  20. If you don’t continue as usual, they win!

    You can’t let those that did this dictate your life! Show strength and courage.

    Please remember what Londoners did every morning of their lives after the Germans bombed their city every night during WWII. They woke up, cleaned the mess, and went on. Who won in the end?

    Be sad, be cautious, but go on! Persevere!

    Be great! Be who you were meant to be!

  21. I was very close to the bombs that went off today (around the corner from Lenox Hotel), and I cannot just come home and finish the work I have due tomorrow. We, students, do not have time to comprehend what happened today or the space to soak it in. It is extremely unhealthy that we have class tomorrow, when all I want to do is talk to my friends, family, and watch updates about the attacks. I beg of you, please cancel school tomorrow so that we can process what has happened to our city, for both our mental state and our academics.

  22. I am so sad about this! Graduate of 99 COM, I use to watch the marathon every year, and walk towards the finish line. My prayers go out to all the families, runners, and victims in Boston! I love Boston!

  23. 1) If you are unable to attend classes for whatever reason, just let your professor know and don’t go to class. Even if the university is not completely shut down, I’m pretty sure most professors would be sympathetic if a student was not mentally or physically capable of attending class for a day.

    2) You are not any safer NOT attending classes then you would be if you were attending classes, let’s be honest with ourselves. Threats could happen at any time and anywhere. If you truly feel unsafe leaving your home, see above.

  24. This has all been very scary. It reminds me of a few years ago when the tornados came through the south. I spent about a week just trying to get in touch with one of my friends, trying to see if they were alive or not. I heard stories of people running for cover and their lives. I had really hoped I wouldn’t have to deal with that fear of not knowing whether everyone was ok or not again. The confusion is the worst; you don’t know what’s going on. While I would have preferred to not go to class tomorrow, I’m confident that the administration would not have us go to class if they thought there was any possibility of us being in danger. My thoughts are with everyone in Boston during this horrible tragedy.

  25. There is comfort in routine. I hope professors do a good job of allowing students to discuss their feelings. Cancelling classes would simply allow more time for students to sit in their dorm rooms biting their fingernails. I think it’s a good thing students, faculty and staff will be together in their normal environment. I also hope students who need to will take advantage of the counseling services offered by the University. Tragedy affects every person differently. Let’s be extra kind to one another today.

  26. If you’re upset about having to go to class today, it’s not like one day will make a difference if you’re truly emotionally scarred. Should the while university and city shut down until everyone is ready emotionally to carry on? Will that be tomorrow? Next week? Next month? 2 years from now? If you feel like you can’t go to class, email your teachers. Many are more than understanding.

  27. BU Today: Thanks so much for keeping this worried mom informed from a BU perspective. I’m a former reporter and current small college communications pro and I am so appreciative to have this resource. Well done! Prayers for all those affected and for resilience and courage for the BU and wider Boston community.

  28. this is really a terror. one would hardly understand why terrorist are so inhuman. i am praying for the injured and the dead may their souls rest i peace

  29. I’m shocked to see people commenting here, complaining about whether or not BU is open. If you don’t want to go to work or class, then don’t go. With all that is going on, please don’t add to the chaos by accusing BU or leaving whiny comments – there are more important things going on in our city right now.

  30. I can understand how people feel about this tragedy and their views on whether or not to hold classes the day afterwards. On one hand, it can be healing to hold class and be close to your peers and teachers, being able to discuss and comfort one another. On the other hand, some people will need a day to regroup from the tragedy as well as to feel comfortable knowing the area is safe. I say hold class, but allow the students to do what is best for them. If someone needs to miss class, don’t penalize them and allow them to make up the work. Each person is different and has different needs.

  31. I was at the finish line yesterday. Directly in between the first and second explosion. I saw everything. I ran for my life with a packed crowd of terrified people, some injured. And for some inexplicable reason, I made i out unharmed. I am completely traumatized, and heart broken, and angry that someone can have me jumping at the sound of a piece of trash falling off of a garbage truck…………………but I went to class this morning. We are a resilient city. I was terrified, but I put on my red sox hat, grabbed my back pack, and headed down comm ave for class bright and early. It made me feel better knowing that I was doing the opposite of what those terrorists wanted. Standing up and being strong. If people don’t feel safe enough to go to school today, or are still completely rattled, then please stay home. Your mental state is more important than any grade you are going to get at BU. But BU made the right decision today. We all heal differently. I will never be able to forget what I experienced yesterday, and seeing the news, I do not know how or why I made it out unharmed. But I will not show weakness. I will stand with the city that I love and be boston strong, because that is all I know how to do.

    You all have your freedom of speech. But please don’t argue. I learned yesterday that life is so terribly short. Don’t take any one second for granted .

    1. So proud of the strong, smart and beautiful woman you have become. Beyond words at how calm you remained to get your younger sister (also a BU student) and her room mate out of the area and to safety. You are brave and a hero. Xoxo

    2. Bravo — I salute you! Life if short and uncertain, and danger is everywhere. But it will be our resilience which will carry us forward. We are a great society and a great city, an inspiration to the world. Let us show them how we deal with this. With calmness and determination.

      I remember 9/11, many of you are too young to remember it. We recovered and moved on. I’ve had friends who were injured, and know folks who have lost lives while fighting this scourge. We have had brothers, uncles, sisters in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia…let’s remember them, and those who were killed and injured in NYC, Boston, Pentagon, Madrid, London, and all around the world — but let’s never give in.

  32. Sad and praying for the victims and their families after yesterday’s Boston Marathon tragic event. Thanks to the BU authorities and students for keeping each other informed in moments like this. Mi son is studying abroad; he and his friends have also been keeping in touch and checking on their friends who are in Boston. The BU community has always been very supportive.

  33. Thank you or the update on the student body. Everyone continues to pray for everyone impacted by this tradegy. Thank you for supporting the student body during this time.

Post a comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *