Preparing for Media on April 16

Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:05:04 -0400
From: Unirel@vt.edu
To: Multiple recipients <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.VT.EDU>
Subject: Preparing for Media on April 16


March 2008

To the Students, Faculty, and Staff of Virginia Tech

As you can imagine, there remains significant ongoing media interest in Virginia Tech in light of the tragedy that occurred on our campus last April 16. As is customary for an event of this magnitude - one that gripped not only reporters, but the entire world - there will be anniversary coverage on or around April 16, 2008.

We expect again to have many, many reporters, broadcasters, and cameras on campus during that week and/or at the remembrances planned for that day.

As I did last year, let me again apprise you of our policy and the law. Our university is public property. Roads are public thoroughfares. We cannot bar the media, although many have suggested it. We will be working to provide appropriate but limited access to the campus. I believe that most were respectful of you and the circumstances of our healing last year.

Reporters (or other visitors) are never allowed in classrooms without the faculty member&#39;s permission. This is a moot point, since classes are cancelled on April 16. Still, we are apprising the media to refrain from entering academic buildings before or after April 16. Residence halls are always off limits to any visitor unless approved by a resident or a member of the student affairs&#39; leadership. Spaces like offices and labs are always controlled by the occupants. Certain university buildings have nominal public access and you may bump into a reporter. If a building is open to the public, it is open to all members of the public.

What should you do if a member of the news media approaches you for an interview either on that day or before? You are never REQUIRED to speak to a reporter. Politely telling a reporter &#39;no thank you&#39; will suffice. If a reporter is particularly insistent, just walk away and do not feel guilty about doing so. We have posted media guidelines at www.remembrance.vt.edu.

However, we have a powerful story to tell. We have prevailed and we are healing. The Hokie Nation is strong. You have represented us well during some very trying times. You have shown the world the special nature of Hokie Spirit and our sense of community. The close-knit nature of this academic community was readily apparent throughout the days and months after April&#39;s tragedy and continues.

If interviewed, I would expect a reporter to ask you about April 16. Go only as far as you feel comfortable. You control the discussion. Students and professors with whom I&#39;ve discussed this possibility are in different places emotionally. Many are ready to move on and speak to the now or the future. Frankly, I like to focus on what we were before April 16 and what we remain today - one of America&#39;s leading universities focused on learning, discovery, and engagement. You help invent the future.

Virginia Tech&#39;s reputation and legacy are founded on the quality of its people. I have great confidence in the university community and the institution as we continue on the road to recovery.

If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at unirel@vt.edu or 231-5396.

Sincerely yours,

Lawrence G. Hincker
Associate Vice President
University Relations

Lawrence G. Hincker

2008-03-23

Brent Jesiek

eng

“이달까지 850만달러 모금… 유족돕기 준비 중”

4·16 총격 사건이 발생했던 미국 버지니아공대 노리스홀 바로 옆 본관 건물에서 지난 5일 로렌스 힝커(Hincker) 부총장보를 만났다. 힝커 부총장보는 "분명한 것은 4·16 사건이 한국과는 아무런 관련이 없는, 미국에서 자란 한국계 미국인의 총기 난사 문제"라며 "나는 한국의 문화를 잘 모르지만 한국은 아무런 책임을 느낄 필요가 없다"고 말했다.

―4·16 사건의 아픔을 어떻게 치유하고 있나.

"2만7000명의 버지니아 공대 재학생들이 받을 심리적 충격을 최소화하는 데 주력했다. 우선, 여름 방학기간 중 모든 교직원들에게 심리적 충격을 완화시키는 교육을 실시한 후 학생들과의 1대1 접촉을 강화했다. 4·16 사건 복구·지원팀을 학교의 정규조직으로 만들어 사망자 유족과 부상자를 도왔다."


▲ 로렌스 힝커 부총장보
―그런 노력이 성공적이라고 평가하나.

"학교와 재학생 동문으로 구성된 &#39;버지니아 텍 공동체&#39;가 위기를 극복하기 위해 최선의 노력을 하고 있다고 생각한다. 12월까지 모금된 850만 달러로 사망자 가족과 부상자를 돕기 위한 계획을 준비 중이다. 학교의 미식축구 시합이 있을 때마다 추모행사를 하고 있다. 지난 9월 미식축구 홈 경기에는 재학생과 동문들을 비롯, 6만5000명이 모여 희생자를 상징하는 32개의 풍선을 띄워 올리며 추모를 했다."

―한국 국민들도 이 사건을 가슴 아파했다.

"직접 우리학교를 찾아 위로해 준 이태식 주미 한국대사를 비롯해서 한국 국민들이 보여준 관심과 추모는 놀랄 만한 것이다. 버지니아의 한국교회를 비롯한 한인단체는 수십만 달러의 성금을 보내왔다. 버지니아 공대는 한국 국민들이 보여준 위로와 성원을 결코 잊지 않을 것이다."

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Original Source: Chosun Ilbo
<a href="http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/12/18/2007121800047.html">http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/12/18/2007121800047.html</a>

Ha Won Lee

2007-12-17

Haeyong Chung

ko

Media and the return to school

Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:09:39 -0400
From: Virginia.Tech.news@vt.edu
To: Multiple recipients <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.VT.EDU>
Subject: Media and the return to school

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

TO: The students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech

RE: Media and the return to school

With the beginning of the fall 2007 semester, there will be intense media interest in the Virginia Tech community in light of the events of April 16. While some may prefer otherwise, there will again be many broadcasters, reporters, and cameras on the campus. Indeed, some already are on campus.

Our university is public property. Our roads are public thoroughfares. We cannot bar the media from campus. However, although our buildings are open to the public, residence halls, offices, and classrooms are restricted. Faculty members control entry to classrooms while teaching there. Labs are open only to those authorized. Offices are semi-private spaces open to anyone with a reason to be there. University residence halls are living quarters and open only to those living there and their guests.

What should you do if a member of the news media approaches you for an interview? You are never REQUIRED to speak to the media. Politely telling a reporter "no thank you" will suffice. If a reporter is particularly troublesome, just walk away and do not feel guilty about doing so.

However, I am proud -- very, very proud -- of our university community and how we have represented ourselves to the world through the media over the past several months. You have shown the world the special nature of Hokie Spirit. If you are comfortable, feel free to speak about yourselves, your involvement with the university, or your feelings about the future. I wouldn&#39;t be surprised if reporters want to take you back to April 16. You control discussion and you talk about what you want to talk about. It&#39;s your time.

Should you engage a reporter, take advantage of the opportunity to share some Hokie Spirit. The world mourned with us and maintains an interest in the collective health of our extended university community. I believe that most reporters share this concern and compassion. With so many reporters present, this is a unique opportunity to again convey the character of our community and tell a little about why Virginia Tech and Blacksburg are such very special places.

Sincerely yours,
Lawrence G. Hincker
Associate Vice President
University Relations

Lawrence G. Hincker

2007-08-14

Brent Jesiek

eng

Intenta virginia tech volver a la normalidad

Las clases se reanudan hoy, aunque el edificio donde fueron asesinadas 30 personas permanecerá cerrada el resto del semestre


Publicado por Servicios La Opinión
04-23-2007


Blacksburg - La universidad de virginia tech, donde hace una semana un estudiante mató a 32 personas y se suicidó, reanudará hoy sus actividades mientras prosiguen las investigaciones y debates en torno al incidente.

Mientras, miles de estudiantes, profesores y demás afectados por la tragedia, tratan de encontrar valor para regresar al campus y volver a la normalidad, acción que fue impulsada ayer por el pastor de la Iglesia Bautista de Blacksburg, cuyo sermón estuvo centrado en la recuperación emocional de los sobrevivientes.

La universidad espera el retorno de la mayoría de sus 26 mil estudiantes para la etapa final de los cursos de este año., mientras se completan los funerales de las víctimas del estudiante Seung Hui Cho.

"Tenemos que seguir adelante. Haremos todo lo que podamos para reorganizar este sitio e impedir que algo como lo ocurrido vuelva a ocurrir", dijo el portavoz de la universidad, Larry Hincker.

El edificio Norris, donde Cho dio muerte a 30 personas y luego se suicidó, permanecerá cerrado por el resto del semestre., y las autoridades han tomado medidas para aliviar la presencia de los medios de comunicación.

Mientras, el pastor Tommy McDearis exhortó a los feligreses a regresar a sus actividades normales en la universidad de virginia tech luego de la matanza ocurrida en la institución.

McDearis tuvo la penosa tarea de informar el pasado lunes a familiares de más de 20 víctimas acerca de la matanza causada por el estudiante surcoreano Seung Hui Cho.

El pastor dijo a la congregación que "si cedemos ante esta situación, y cesamos de hacer todas las cosas que realmente importan en la vida porque hemos sido visitados por la oscuridad, entonces, terminaremos rindiéndonos ante la oscuridad".

El pastor pronunció su sermón mientras los estudiantes que abandonaron virginia tech tras la matanza regresaban al campo universitario.

El pastor contó la experiencia de un profesor que había quedado muy afectado por la muerte de varios de sus estudiantes en Norris Hall.

El profesor dijo que en principio no deseaba retornar. Pero que lo haría, para no traicionar los recuerdos, las esperanzas y los sueños de las víctimas.

Mientras se aprestaban a reanudar las clases, las autoridades universitarias invitaron a los centenares de periodistas que acamparon en predios de virginia tech, a irse del lugar a más tardar hoy.

La vocera de la universidad, Liz Hart, dijo que las autoridades de virginia tech apreciaban lo que habían hecho los periodistas, pero era hora de ir hacia adelante.

"La mejor manera de hacer eso es que la universidad retorne a la normalidad", señaló Hart. © Servicios


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Fuente Original: Diario La Raza - Chicago
<a href="http://www.laraza.com/news.php?nid=43402&pag=0">http://www.laraza.com/news.php?nid=43402&pag=0</a>

Servicios La Opinión

2007-08-13

Elva Orozco

Jorge Mederos
Executive Editor
La Raza Chicago Inc.
jorge.mederos@laraza.com
August 13, 2007

spa