Message from the President to the Community Regarding the Present Situation

July 20, 2006

Dear Friends,

As you may know, Sarah and I left Beirut about ten days ago, happy that we had completed another successful academic year at AUB. The events since then have been devastating to Lebanon and to the University.

Chairman Morris, all the trustees, and I personally admire the courage you have all displayed in carrying on in these terrible circumstances. I want to salute the senior management team, led by Acting President Heath, for the superb effort they have made to facilitate the departure of those compelled to leave and to bring on campus the essential personnel who keep the university and the hospital running.

I urge all of who are able to heed the appeal of Acting President Heath to volunteer to help in whatever way you can the civilian victims of the military action in the south and in the southern suburbs of Beirut. This is by no means the first time in the university's history when it has been called upon to serve the greater community in a time of dire need.

For my part, and also on the part of Chairman Morris and several trustees, we are working as best we can to urge the US administration to insure that vital supplies, particularly fuel and medical supplies, reach all medical establishments in Lebanon so that they can meet the horrific challenges facing them in these days.

It is enormously frustrating and saddening to me not to be with you at this time. I intend to return to Beirut as soon as feasible. Have no doubt:
Lebanon and AUB will rise out of this conflagration and carry on their missions. We have worked too hard over the past fifteen years to do other than push forward.


John Waterbury

President