1 Killed in Shootings at Virginia Tech

[alum]

Mysticchik,

In response to your question, Wake Forest is doing something.



Hatch statement on VT tragedy
President Nathan O. Hatch has expressed condolences to the Virginia Tech community after Monday's tragic events. "From the Wake Forest University community, I send to you, your students, your colleagues, and the families of today's victims our profound sympathy."

Crisis plan review
Monday's events at Virginia Tech have prompted Wake Forest officials to review the campus security plan. In addition, the University has compiled security-related questions and answers for the campus community.

Memorial service
An interfaith memorial service to remember the victims and families of Monday's Virginia Tech shootings will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Wait Chapel. The chapel will open at 6 p.m., when memorial books will be available for attendees to record condolences. The books will be delivered to Virginia Tech.

Read more news at Window on Wake Forest: http:// www.wfu.edu/wowf

[SoEnchanting]

A memorial service is going to be held at FSU tomorrow night on Landis Green.

My prayers go out to all the friends and family of the victims.

[PiKA2001]

There's a picture in the link of the ex-girlfriend that crazy shot first in the dorm. Looking at her pic and the pics up of crazy, she was way out of his league. Another weird link is that crazy went to the same high school with two of his victims in the engineering blg. They were freshmen while he was a senior, so he may not have known them at the time.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001021,00.html

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Looking at her pic and the pics up of crazy, she was way out of his league.

Wow, that kind of a comment just seems...uncalled for. By that I mean I think it's odd that your first reaction after reading about the shooter's primary target was to comment about their looks.

[AlphaFrog]

Article headline:

THIS is the face of the girl who may have sparked the worst school shooting in US history.

That is totally uncalled for as well. She is absolutly not to blame for any of this, and I think that's exactly what that headline implies.

[PM_Mama00]

It looks like someone just passed out during the convocation. I don't think I'd be able to keep myself up. This is way too sad.

[OleMissGlitter]

I just got an email about this:

The leadership of the Associated Student Body and the Office of the Dean of Students will sponsor an observance for Virginia Tech at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18th, in Paris-Yates Chapel. All students, faculty, staff, and members of the public are invited to attend.

We would especially like to invite students from the state of Virginia to participate in a candle lighting ceremony. If you are from Virginia, or have a connection with Virginia Tech, and wish to participate in tomorrow’s ceremony, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.

[Cardinal026]

I don't think this has been said yet, but Chi Omega headquarters just released a statement that all sisters are accounted for and safe.

[mystikchick]

one of my friends at UVA has a facebook icon that reads: we're all hokies today and then in the corner 'even at UVA' it was sweet but it also made me smile.

you know, i really wish some people would consider better word-choice and sensitivity over catchy headlines. no breakup or girl caused this, the only thing that is certain is this was a profoundly disturbed individual. her poor family, having to hear about things like that about their daughter.

[akdphi_cherry]

I doubt anyone who doesn't already know will read this, but all KDPhi sisters at VTech are thankfully accounted for as well.

[alum]

That headline IS disrespectful and unneedlessly sullies the reputation of that poor girl. I am appalled.

I don't think the killer was crazy. That gives him an "out". I think he was methodical, cold-blooded, and amoral.

Couple of points:

Fairfax County (Northern VA) Public Schools have very large high schools. Many of the FCPS high schools send a tremendous number of students to Tech. My D's class alone sent 52 from the class of '06. I imagine that Westfields HS (the killer's alma mater) would send a similar number.

My D lost at least one former schoolmate yesterday. Her sorority chapter sister who graduated from Westfields lost 2 high school classmates.

---
The DC area kids who are currently Hokies have had several bad situations befalling them in their adolescent and teen years.

In 2001, the Pentagon was attacked. Many kids were in a state of uncertainty while waiting for word from parent(s).

2002, the DC area was under seige for 3 weeks by a pair of snipers who struck at seemingly random locations. All outdoor activities were cancelled. Athletic competitions were held on military bases or at stadiums 3 hours away. Elementary kids couldn't go out for recess. Adults were afraid to pump their own gas.

2006, The first day of class at VA Tech was cancelled because there was a shooter on campus. Luckily this man was caught before something horrific occurred.

2007, Yesterday

____
I think we need to remember Erin, Rheema, Leslie and all the victims as individuals. They were all on the threshold of adulthood and their lives were brutally snuffed out prematurely.

[EPAP302]

My school sent this out yesterday.. Tonight, all 120 Resident Advisors have been called to an emergency meeting with the VP of Student Affairs. As an RA and a Greek member, this is a very tragic event and my heart truly goes out to VT. Tech school reunite! <3

TO: RIT Community
FROM: Albert J. Simone, President
SUBJECT: Virginia Tech Tragedy

April 17, 2007

On behalf of Rochester Institute of Technology, I offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Virginia Tech community, and especially to the family and friends of the victims. This is a national tragedy of unimaginable proportions. I am in shock and deeply saddened by yesterday’s horrific events. It is difficult to make sense of such a senseless act. We grieve for the victims’ families and friends.

Today, the RIT flag is lowered to half staff in memory of the Virginia Tech victims. At 12:10 p.m., RIT's Center for Religious Life will hold a special service in the Allen Chapel of the Interfaith Center. This will be a time for the RIT community to pray, reflect and support the Virginia Tech community. The 30-minute service will conclude with the bells tolling for each victim.
Counseling services are available for students, faculty and staff at our Counseling Center. Appointments can be made by calling 475-2261.

The tragedy at Virginia Tech can happen anywhere at anytime. At RIT, we will continue to work hard to ensure a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty and staff. We must remain vigilant. We must never forget the events of April 16, 2007 in Blacksburg, Virginia.

[angelic1]

The media and many are so quick to point the blame. Putting the blame on the administration, police, etc.

Virginia Tech is a large school and can not be contained as if a high school or elementary school. Based on the events the police thought that the first incident was an isolated event. They could not have predicted what would have happened.

I am proud of those students who have tried to defend their school and showed their pride for their school and community.

Virginia Tech is a great community with great leaders who care very much about their school.

Hindsight is 20/20..

[shinerbock]

There comes a point where the security measures have to be viewed in a cost-benefit sense. Now, I'm not saying that anything is worth the lives of these students, but realistically, there is likely only a relatively small chance that this could have been prevented. Thankfully, this is obviously a rare occurrence (to the degree that we've never seen anything like it, and hopefully won't again). The cost (and by cost I mean loss of purpose, not dollar amount) of "securing" these campuses would be extraordinary. If you don't believe that, go visit Pensacola Christian College and decide if thats a campus that fosters learning.

I like the fact that we've progressed so far as a society that we do have a "lets fix it" mentality. However, reality mandates that some things aren't fixable without frustrating their very purpose for existence. To really prevent auto accident deaths, we'd take much of the utility and convenience out of driving. To adequately reduce the risk of becoming victims of terrorism, we'd constantly be living in fear. I don't want it to sound like "these things are just gonna happen", but in some sense, they are. We can't contemplate every possible contingency that will take life, and if we tried, we'd be even more miserable. This isn't to say there aren't steps to be taken, but there are things we'll never understand, that we'll never be able to predict, and that we'll never be able to control. I realize that for many, such questioning is part of the grieving process. But for the rest of us, I think we just have to accept that a terrible person did an inexplicable thing and it shouldn't detrimentally impact how we live our lives.

[azureblue]

University of Kansas

Candlelight vigil scheduled for tonight at campanile

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will hold a candlelight vigil at 7 tonight in honor of those affected by Monday morning’s shootings at Virginia Tech.

The ceremony will take place at the campanile. Jason Boots, student body president, will host the event. Speakers include Chancellor Robert Hemenway; Matt Drake, a KU graduate student who earned a degree from Virginia Tech in 2006; and Sean Heston, president of KU Religious Advisors.

Counseling services will be available for students at the vigil.

Student group creates banner, hands out ribbons to honor victims of shooting

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students will join together in support of those affected by Monday’s shootings at Virginia Tech.

Representatives from KU’s Student Union Activities will be on Wescoe Beach from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today with a large banner that students can sign. The banner will be sent to Virginia Tech.

The group will also hand out ribbons in Virginia Tech colors for those would like to commemorate those who died.