it is not just a US problem.  My colleagues and I have been experiencing
the same sort of lack of interest and trying to develop new strategies to
motivate the students.
For us this is the second semester, which finishes in about 4 weeks. There
is an election on, a war on and  every day they read ( those who do) about
anthrax scares- yes we've had them here too. Boatpeople are being turned
away from our shores and a few days ago 360 of them drowned. It is all very
depressing.

Maybe they are just so doubtful about the future that they see no point in
pushing themselves.
Anne Maureen

At 02:50 PM 25/10/01 -0400, you wrote:
>I am experiencing the same situation here in Northern Virginia.  Many of
>our students knew or knew of someone who worked at the Pentagon.
>In addition, our national guard has been activated to help protect
>airports, etc.  On top of that we have a very diverse student population
>which includes many muslim students.
>
>I have no solutions to suggest but welcome yours.
>
>Rick

Anne Maureen Scarff

School of Economics and Finance
Werrington South Campus,
University of Western Sydney,
LOCKED BAG 1797
PENRITH SOUTH DC NSW 1797

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
Lewis Carroll.