1 Killed in Shootings at Virginia Tech

[Buttonz]

My school didn't send out anything until 5:30 this afternoon, and all it was was this:

To Providence Campus Community

From Akhil *******, vice president, Providence Campus

Date April 17, 2007

Re Virginia Tech

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Virginia Tech community and all the families, including those here in Rhode Island who have been affected by this tragedy. At times like this, it is not unusual to experience profound feelings of shock, disbelief, worry, anger, sadness and anxiety. We can all play a role as a caring community by helping one another to deal with these unthinkable events to facilitate healing and recovery. Our mutual support for one another is a key ingredient for coping with these challenging life events which is why talking with a counselor on a one-time basis can often be very helpful.

Our on-campus counseling services are available for any of you who are experiencing difficulty, or just seeking answers during this inexplicable incident. We will have staff available throughout the week and beyond for anyone who would like to discuss their concerns.

Now is a good time to remind everyone that campus safety is everyone's priority. If you see any signs or indications of unusual behavior among anyone on campus, you are encouraged to bring this to the attention of our Campus Safety & Security department immediately. Please reach out to a member of the Providence Campus staff, faculty, administration, or a resident director with whom you are comfortable. Confidentiality, as always, will be maintained.



Here are important numbers that you should have on hand:

Campus Safety & Security 598-****

Student Counseling Center 598-****

Please, for your safety and all of ours, remember, be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity to Campus Safety & Security or local authorities.


****

I feel that they could have done a much better job. My first class had a guest speaker, but the prof said it will be talked about next class, and my last class the professor held a minute of silence

[shinerbock]

Bush is very good at extending compassion in situations like this.

[MissCaramella]

Here's what UCF is doing:

You are all aware by now of the recent events and tragedy that has taken place on the Virginia Tech campus on Monday. University of Central Florida students have organized a canlelight vigil tonight to show their support for these fallen brothers and sisters of the academic family.

There will be a Candlelight Vigil tonight at the UCF Reflection Pond in front of Millican Hall from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This event will be an opportunity for students to show strength and solidarity within the collegiate community, and to show our strength of support in numbers. The public is welcome to attend.

Bring your candles and your thoughts and prayers, this is just a time for everyone to come together and mourn this horrible event.

"Forget any and all college affiliations today. For today, we are all Hokies."

There is also a statement on the website here.

[Cardinal026]

Originally Posted by Buttonz

My school didn't send out anything until 5:30 this afternoon, and all it was was this:

****

I feel that they could have done a much better job. My first class had a guest speaker, but the prof said it will be talked about next class, and my last class the professor held a minute of silence

The fact that I go to school in Virginia, MANY kids have either transferred here from Tech or transferred to Tech, and its almost as common to see a Hokie hat as a Mason one...I can't believe that this is all Mason sent out:

=================
By now you are undoubtedly aware of the terrible shooting incident on
Virginia Tech's campus. We realize there are those on campus who may be
upset by this terrible event, especially those who have friends or
family at Virginia Tech. Our Counseling Center is available twenty-four
hours a day to assist, so please feel free to contact the office at
703.993.2380.

The administration is keenly aware of the need to provide security on
campus and is actively reviewing policies and procedures.
=================

Wow, not even a condolence to our friends at Tech. And my class last night is a Psych class, "Death, Dying and Grieving" - you'd think of all classes, we'd talk about it there. Especially since my professor got his Masters at Tech. Not. A. Word.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by Cardinal026

The fact that I go to school in Virginia, MANY kids have either transferred here from Tech or transferred to Tech, and its almost as common to see a Hokie hat as a Mason one...I can't believe that this is all Mason sent out:

=================
By now you are undoubtedly aware of the terrible shooting incident on
Virginia Tech's campus. We realize there are those on campus who may be
upset by this terrible event, especially those who have friends or
family at Virginia Tech. Our Counseling Center is available twenty-four
hours a day to assist, so please feel free to contact the office at
703.993.2380.

The administration is keenly aware of the need to provide security on
campus and is actively reviewing policies and procedures.
=================

Wow, not even a condolence to our friends at Tech. And my class last night is a Psych class, "Death, Dying and Grieving" - you'd think of all classes, we'd talk about it there. Especially since my professor got his Masters at Tech. Not. A. Word.

Wow. I can't imagine any alum NOT talking about it!

[Buttonz]

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals wore Virginia Tech baseball caps during Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves as a tribute to the victims of the shooting rampage at the school.

Nationals players wore the burgundy hats with "VT" in orange when they took the field for the top of the second inning, and the team said they'd keep them on for the rest of the game.

Manager Manny Acta, pitching coach Randy St. Claire and other coaches wore white "VT" caps with burgundy stitching.

The Nationals said the idea of wearing the Virginia Tech caps came from a fan from Calvert County, Md., who e-mailed team president Stan Kasten. The plan was to wear the caps from the beginning of the game, but a truck bringing them from Virginia got stuck in traffic.

The Nationals held moments of silence for the victims of Monday's shooting before their home games Monday and Tuesday. Washington's RFK Stadium is about 4 hours away from the university's Blacksburg campus.

[alum]

Originally Posted by Cardinal026

Wow, not even a condolence to our friends at Tech. And my class last night is a Psych class, "Death, Dying and Grieving" - you'd think of all classes, we'd talk about it there. Especially since my professor got his Masters at Tech. Not. A. Word.

I'm not making excuses for him but perhaps the tragedy was still too raw and fresh for him to discuss?

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by alum

I'm not making excuses for him but perhaps the tragedy was still too raw and fresh for him to discuss?

At least mention it and hold a minute or two of silence...or cancel class...but not to mention it at all...esp with the topic of class..I thin it would have bothered me.

[cutie_cat_4ever]

One of the colleges in my school held a moment of silence today...I was too heartaching and sad to hear this...my prayers and thoughts are with those who are affected.

One of my close friends, who is an RA in my alma mater told me that last night they had emergancy meetings with our school police to discuss the situation. He's terrified from his job now because throughout his two years as an RA, he has encountered numerous students who had problems with personal life, academic life etc. A lot of times students will threathen to kill themselves, or kill others. Whatever an RA says, it could put them into harms way if they say one word wrong. Not to mention that our school is in the city, and some students are gang members...I remember one of my friends' friend broke up with her ex bf. Her ex was a psyco. He followed her around, he threathen to kill her. He went to her dorm room outside and try to throw a brick into her window. She finally was able to put a restraining order on him. But just the thought is terrifying...some people need to learn how to let go and not to hold grudges. It scares people who are just into relationships, and if they ever, ever wanted to break up, they may fear what their exes are going to do to harm them...

It's just sad...

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Buttonz

At least mention it and hold a minute or two of silence...or cancel class...but not to mention it at all...esp with the topic of class..I thin it would have bothered me.

"An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal." I would have imagined that he was too numb to discuss it, and too raw to cancel class.

When I sat back, and thought of all the things that happened in history this week (some, undoubtedly, purposely held on a certain day), I thought about the professor who had survived the Holocaust, and now I hear cancer, who sacrificed his life for others. Liviu Librescu couldn't have been very old during the Holocaust, yet he died so that other young people would live. May his name be written in the Book of Life.


BTW, the picture of the student being carried out, bleeding from his femoral artery is from my college roomie's hometown, about 5 miles from my brother. He's looking at very serious surgery, once he's stabilized.

[JupiterTC]

Originally Posted by Cardinal026

The fact that I go to school in Virginia, MANY kids have either transferred here from Tech or transferred to Tech, and its almost as common to see a Hokie hat as a Mason one...I can't believe that this is all Mason sent out:

=================
By now you are undoubtedly aware of the terrible shooting incident on
Virginia Tech's campus. We realize there are those on campus who may be
upset by this terrible event, especially those who have friends or
family at Virginia Tech. Our Counseling Center is available twenty-four
hours a day to assist, so please feel free to contact the office at
703.993.2380.

The administration is keenly aware of the need to provide security on
campus and is actively reviewing policies and procedures.
=================

Wow, not even a condolence to our friends at Tech. And my class last night is a Psych class, "Death, Dying and Grieving" - you'd think of all classes, we'd talk about it there. Especially since my professor got his Masters at Tech. Not. A. Word.

Wow! I'm really surprised! I know several people that attend Mason, one of which transferred from Tech. I can't think of a single Mason student that doesn't have some sort of connection with Tech.

[GeekyPenguin]

My school is having two separate prayer services and sent out a campus-wide email on our emergency procedures.

[KSUViolet06]

I watched Dateline tonight which was the first time I'd heard anything about who the victims were. They all seemed like they were well-liked by other students and faculty. They had alot of diverse interests.

There was a marching band member, dancer, sorority member, Peruvian national swimteam member, ROTC cadet, accomplished scholars and professors, and so many others. So many promising lives.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18143312/

One that stands out to me is the 78 year old engineering professor and Holocaust survivor who lost his life trying to hold the door shut so his students could try to escape through the window.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

One that stands out to me is the 78 year old engineering professor and Holocaust survivor who lost his life trying to hold the door shut so his students could try to escape therough the window.

For those of you that don't know, yesterday was Holocaust memorial day...on all days for a Holocaust survivor to be killed, and in such a way.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by Buttonz

For those of you that don't know, yesterday was Holocaust memorial day...on all days for a Holocaust survivor to be killed, and in such a way.

Ok, I thought nothing else from this situation could make me cry anymore until this.