Future of the Office of Recovery and Support
Memorandum
DATE: May 29, 2008
FROM: Charles W. Steger
TO: The University Community
SUBJECT: Future of the Office of Recovery
and Support
During the summer of 2007, the Office of Recovery and Support was created for the primary purposes of improving two-way communication with and facilitating provision of support services to the families of those who were killed on April 16, 2007, and also to those who were physically injured and their families. The work of the ORS team has been incredibly demanding. Nevertheless, under the leadership of Jay Poole, they have done a truly outstanding job and have strengthened relationships with those who were injured and their families, and with the families that lost loved ones.
With Jay's planned departure from the role of Director in July, I have consulted a number of people and spent considerable time deliberating over the future of that office. We have been advised by colleagues at other institutions that have experienced similar tragedies that those who were directly affected by the events of April 16 will be looking to the university for various types of support for a number of years to come. Moreover, we have been told and have already witnessed ourselves that the families of those who were lost and the injured students will want to maintain long-term ties to the university. Needless to say, we also want to maintain that connection.
Tending to these relationships is consistent with the vision of the Alumni Association, which "aspires to be a primary linkage between the university and its family of alumni across the globe." All of the injured students eventually will become alumni, and we wish to keep those families who lost loved ones engaged with the university (if that is their wish)Ëœin much the same manner that we seek to engage alumni. Therefore, I have determined that it would be logical to move the Office of Recovery and Support under the senior management area of the Vice President for Alumni Relations, effective July 1, 2008.
At that time, Debbie Day will assume responsibilities as Director of the Office of Recovery and Support in addition to her current duties as Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations. I envision that the ORS will continue to exist as a distinct office under Debbie's direction (within the area of the VP for Alumni Relations) until all or most of the injured students have graduatedËœprobably two more yearsËœand then its functions, which will have scaled back naturally, will be absorbed into the Alumni Relations office.
Following is a discussion of the operations of the Office of Recovery and Support as of July 1.
Mission ˆ The mission of the Office of Recovery and Support is unchanged:
To provide supportËœspecifically including improved two-way communication and facilitation of support servicesËœfor the families of those killed, the injured and their families, and others directly affected by the killings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Further, the ORS is the central campus location to manage broader recovery efforts of the university community, such as commemoration activities.
Personnel ˆ In addition to Debbie Day as Director, the ORS will include:
 Megan Armbruster, who will continue to work with injured students and their families on a full-time basis as she pursues her Ph.D.
 Scott Johnson, who will continue to work with the families of the deceased students on a part-time basis.
 Anna Beth Benningfield, who, as part of the Provost‚s staff, will continue to work with faculty families on a part-time basis.
 Marilyn Hutchins, who will continue to work with injured students and their families and with families of deceased students on a part-time basis.
 Pam Pettry, who will continue to provide full-time administrative support for the office.
At this time, I would also like to express both my personal and the university‚s deepest appreciation to Jay Poole, Ellen Plummer (Deputy Director), Jerry Cain, Lisa Leslie, and Renae Criner for their invaluable contributions as their work with the ORS nears an end.
Office Location ˆ The ORS will continue to occupy its existing space in the CRC for the next year, after which time the office may move into space in the Alumni Center or elsewhere that better suits the needs of the ORS at that time.
In closing, I have great confidence in Debbie, Scott, Megan, Anna Beth, Marilyn, and Pam and deeply appreciate their willingness to serve the university and those who were directly affected by the April 16 tragedy in this most meaningful way as we move forward. And, I know they will appreciate your support.
-end-
University Relations
2008-05-29
Kacey Beddoes
University Relations (unirel@vt.edu)
eng
A Day of Remembrance: University events on April 16, 2008
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:21:02 -0500
From: Provost@vt.edu
To: Multiple recipients <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.VT.EDU>
Subject: A Day of Remembrance: University events on April 16, 2008
Thursday, February 20, 2008
Dear students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech
Three weeks ago, Virginia Tech President Charles Steger established a 21-person steering committee to guide the planning of on-campus activities to be held on April 16, 2008, marking the tragedy that occurred on campus one year earlier.
The planning committee included students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members, plus students and family members directly affected by the events. Provost Mark McNamee chaired the committee and Jay Poole, director of the Office of Recovery and Support (ORS), served as vice-chair. Megan Armbruster from ORS provided administrative and operational support.
The committee met three times and openly discussed a range of ideas for the official university observances of the April 16, 2007 tragedy. The committee welcomed input from those who wished to contribute, and benefited greatly from the advice and support of the affected families and students.
Several major decisions emerged by consensus from the committee's deliberations: April 16, 2008 will focus on the lives of the 32 innocent students and faculty members who were killed on April 16, 2007; events will be simple and respectful; opportunities will be provided for anyone who wishes to honor the memories of the victims.
In the spirit of these guidelines, the following events will represent the official university commemoration of "A Day of Remembrance" on April 16, 2008.
==> 10:30 a.m. to noon: University Commemoration Event, Drillfield (rain or shine): The names of each innocent victim and a few words about the special qualities of each person will be read aloud. President Steger will welcome those assembled. (The selection of readers and the format of the readings is still a work in progress.)
==> Sundown (approximately 7:45 p.m.): Candlelight Vigil, Drillfield (rain or shine): The students of Virginia Tech will sponsor and organize a candlelight vigil beginning at sundown. The initial lighting of candles will begin by using a ceremonial candle at the university memorial site that will burn during the entire day.
In addition, between noon and 5 p.m., the university will provide venues across campus where individuals or groups who may wish express or witness remembrances in the form of poetry or other readings; writing; musical or artistic performances; art creation; flower planting; or other activities including service activities. Our goal is to balance opportunities for individual, informal expression with some structured activities. Venues and formats will be announced as plans evolve.
As it becomes available, all information will be posted to the "April 16, 2008: A Day of Remembrance" website (www.remembrance.vt.edu). This website will be linked to the university homepage and will become live during the week of February 25.
Additional Activities
The students of Virginia Tech are also sponsoring a university and community picnic on Sunday April 20, 2008 from 1 to 4 p.m. This picnic will recognize and support everyone who contributed in so many important ways to the April 16, 2007 emergency response, and the immediate and ongoing recovery and support efforts. Introductions will occur at approximately 1:30 p.m.
On April 16, 2008, several private events will be organized in collaboration with the families of the deceased and the injured students. The families and injured students may choose to participate in any of the university events, but they will not be formally identified as participants.
No classes will be held on April 16, 2008, but the university will be open. Faculty and staff may participate in any of the university activities if they wish to. We understand that many faculty, staff, and students do not know how they will feel or react on April 16, 2008. We urge all employees and supervisors to be flexible and to place highest priority on the health and welfare of each individual. We will view April 16, 2008 as a very special workday that will not require staff to take sick leave, personal leave, or vacation time. Some buildings will be closed and those employees will not be expected to report to work. Counseling support will be available throughout campus.
Megan Armbruster from the Office of Recovery and Support will serve as the operational director for the April 16, 2008 events. She has begun her work with many university offices on logistics and support issues, and is assembling a task force for the events. All questions and suggestions should be sent to Armbruster at remembrance@vt.edu.
Mark McNamee
University Provost
Mark McNamee
2008-02-21
Brent Jesiek
eng