By Megan Lavey News DirectorStudents crowded around a dozen TVs scattered through the Ferguson Center. They sat in the Ferguson Center theater, crowded into the breakroom at Bidgood Gall, gathered around every television possible as the horrific scene unfolded on news stations.Just before 8 a.m. CDT, two planes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, destroying the twin 110-story towers. Shortly after, a plane crashed into the Pentagon, destroying a section of the five-sided building. One United Airlines plane crashed in Pennsylvania, also apparent victims of terrorists.According to The Associated Press, the numbers of dead and injured could easily climb into the thousands."It was a shock," said Tanya Fitchard, a junior in the College of Communication and Information Sciences. "I have a cousin that works in the Pentagon and I haven?t heard from him. It really makes me nervous."University President Andrew Sorensen and Vice President of Student Affairs Sybil Todd joined students at the Ferguson Center, offering words of encouragement comforting students as they witnessed the World Trade Center crumble to the ground."It?s very tragic," Sorensen said. "Our prayers go out to the victims and their families."In a statement released to the student population via e-mail, Sorensen urged students to keep an eye on TV and radio reports. He said that the Department of Public Safety is monitoring the situation."The University of Alabama remains open today and classes will continue as scheduled," he said.However, some professors have decided to either cancel class or allow their students to leave early.From 12 to 2 p.m., there will be a counseling session at the Ferguson Center for students affected by the tragedy. Counselors will also be available at Russell Student Health Center.Lee Keyes, director of the counseling center at the health center said that he is expecting a delayed reaction to the situation as students realize the enormity of what happened."We're just letting everyone know that we're here, he said.There are also services planned tonight at St. Francis Catholic Church at 5 p.m. and on the Quad at 7:15 p.m.Senior Staff Reporter Jennifer Coakley and The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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