A group centered at the University may play a crucial role in assembling experts' opinions to analyze the tragic events of Sept. 11.
The Critical Incident Analysis Group is a consortium of scholars, law enforcement officials and professionals who gather information to improve the public's ability to cope with crises and the government's ability to predict, prevent, and handle such incidents. CIAG is run by the University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
There is an increased interest in CIAG and the work it does because of the terrorist attacks, members said. CIAG Research Director Lawrence Adams said that until now, a fair number of people knew about the group, but that CIAG never received as much public attention as it does now.
CIAG works with the University president's office, as well the Law School and the Medical School. Former Darden School Dean Ted Snyder also worked closely with the group. Until now, funding problems have forced the group to remain out of the public eye, Adams said.
According to Adams, one of CIAG's main goals is to implement analytical methods with the help of a wide range of experts, including numerous University professors. They tackle specific problems and discuss them from different angles so that those in the discussion not only share ideas among themselves, but also gain insight into their own fields of specialty.
Now, two weeks after the recent terrorist acts, CIAG continues to receive questions from people who are searching for meaning in the events.
They have responded to questions ranging from "how to prevent such events from happening in the future, how to help victims, to bigger questions like, Why do they hate us? Is this God's judgment on America? Adams said. CIAG's main course of action now involves working with the professionals and professors they often rely on for expertise and developing open communication within the group, he said.
University Law Prof. A.E. Dick Howard shared his views with the Cavalier Daily on possible proposals and actions that may take place as a result of the terrorist acts, and the problems and issues that may now arise. CIAG members cite Howard as someone they can call on to address questions related to constitutional issues.
He said personal privacy and individual freedom may be adjusted as the government investigates events. Specifically, questions may arise about race and ethnicity because nationality is not irrelevant when painting the profile of a terrorist.
"I'm hoping that even though we should rally together and be unified at this time, we still want to preserve our individual democratic rights, especially constitutional rights," he added.
The group is now planning consultations for the next few weeks regarding the terrorist acts.
The consultations, like the CIAG conference held each spring, will involve participants from across the nation but will take place in Charlottesville, if not at the University itself.
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