Still waiting for our victory
Observer Viewpoint
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Viewpoint
Anyone old enough to speak coherently at the time still remembers the moment, over forty years ago, when they heard about JFK's assassination. Our grandparents can tell us how they listened to the radio accounts of Pearl Harbor on a December day, more than six decades gone. Every single one of us here at Notre Dame can recall where we were on the day of Sept. 11, 2001 - what we were doing, how the horribly tragic events of that morning unfolded for us and our personal feelings on the matter. Any time someone shares a personal story of That Day, I'm always amazed at the details people recall.
I remember listening to Paul Harvey's show on my AM radio while driving to school when he announced the first plane crash. I remember talking about it with my friend before the start of first-hour Biology, and I remember the girl who came in and told us the other tower had been hit. I remember conversations I had that day, things different teachers said and talking with my grandparents in the evening. That was my experience, half a country away, without a personal connection to anyone involved. The mass media of the past century gave rise to a new, shared cultural experience, a common reference point that breaches distance and background: the generation-defining event.
When we hear 9/11 described this way, it is absolutely on-target.
This week, we have another national tragedy. News of the massacre at Virginia Tech on Monday spread like wildfire throughout both national and international outlets, even reaching most of us studying abroad in Europe within the hour. We learned of the catastrophe over television stations, through quickly formed Facebook groups, on Internet news sites and during instant messaging conversations. Solid facts came slowly, but no report could sanitize away the fear, confusion, anger, torrential grief and host of other emotions that assault us all in such times.
This is the great curse of our generation's hyper-awareness and the awesome power of modern media. We cannot escape the sentiments swirling around the tragedies, and they cannot remain anonymous or distant to us. It is hard to ignore the images of grown men and women crying as dead college students are carried away, the surreal sounds of gunshots being fired on a peaceful college campus or the first-hand accounts of courage and action during the Virginia shootings. I hesitate to compare this with 9/11; the numbers, circumstances, impact, source, scope and means are worlds apart. Yet both incidents serve to painfully remind us that these events always seem to be associated with sorrow, tragedy and death.
The events of Monday, though still fresh in my mind, will probably not stick with me as do those of 9/11. Sadly, the thousands of students and faculty and staff connected with the university, the thousands of parents worrying at home and the thousands of residents in the surrounding community don't have that luxury of separation. For them, this will become a "where were you when..." event. Monday will haunt their minds and stay with them for the duration of their lives. Healing can take place, and God willing, can come soon, but memories of all the little details from Monday will stick. Meanwhile, the rest of us are stuck asking ourselves: How many more of these "defining" events can we plan on seeing in the coming years and decades? And when can we expect one judged not by the body count or human toll, but by the rewards and human joy brought about?
Some may say any event that becomes constantly discussed, like 9/11, does not develop its crystalline clarity in the moments of its occurrence, but rather slowly cements itself during the constant regurgitation of facts and satellite details in the months and years following. Even if this were the case, we are still left empty-handed trying to think of a ubiquitous positive event. I firmly believe that such events, incredibly wonderful instead of shockingly horrific, are entirely possible. Unfortun-ately, we are still waiting to see what such an event would look like.
The consistently negative nature of these events can be explained to some degree. "Good events," for one, rarely culminate in one triumphant moment. Tragedy, on the other hand, catches us unaware. In the shock, the horrific facts come slowly and there are a thousand unknowns. With triumphant accomplishments, the event is often merely symbolic and known well in advance. The closest models I can call to mind are the fall of the Berlin Wall - which I and most of my classmates were too young to remember - and the moon landing, decades before we were born.
Our generation, already exposed to so much death and murder and war and evil, still waits for its anti-9/11. We have yet to gather around our televisions and computers to share joy instead of sorrow, fulfillment instead of shock, pleasure instead of anger. We are the waiting. But for the moment, in respect for the Virginia Tech community, let us remember that we are also among the mourning.
James Dechant is a junior studying abroad in Rome this semester. Questions, complaints and rude remarks can be sent to jdechant@nd.edu
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060-page2.shtml</a>
James Dechant
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Campus security reacts to shootings
ND looks into cell phone text messaging to alert students of emergencies
Kaitlynn Riely, Aaron Steiner and Ken Fowler
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
Notre Dame has procedures in place to respond to major incidents and crises, but the University is not commenting on most specifics of those plans, officials said Wednesday.
Nationwide, universities have been asked about - and have offered self-evaluations of -emergency protocols in the aftermath of Monday's mass slayings at Virginia Tech University. A lone gunman apparently shot and killed two students in a dorm on the Blacksburg, Va., campus two hours before opening fire and killing 30 more people in one of the school's academic buildings half a mile away.
"Suffice it to say, that plans do exist," University spokesman Don Wycliff said. "They are constantly being reviewed in light of the Virginia Tech experience, and we would be [foolish] if we do not attempt to review those plans."
Wycliff said he expects Notre Dame to comment on campus security plans in the future, but he couldn't give an exact date.
Notre Dame Security/Police (NDSP) Director Phil Johnson declined to comment on NDSP's procedures for crisis management plans and referred all questions to University representatives in the Office of News and Information.
Wycliff declined to comment on what offices have the authority to lock down buildings or entire portions of campus in the event of an emergency. He would not say if the University has a campus broadcasting system it could use to transmit emergency messages to faculty, students and staff.
But Gordon Wishon, the University's chief information officer, said Notre Dame has been looking into the possibility of compiling a database of cellular phone numbers to send text messages to in the event of a campus emergency.
Wishon said the University is preparing to launch a pilot program of the text messaging system, and it will test the service throughout the remainder of this semester and summer. He said the University expects to have this service fully ready by the fall.
He said the discussions and plans received more attention and support when Notre Dame eliminated standard telephone lines in each dorm room in 2006.
"We began exploring that some time ago ... realizing that the primary mode of communication for college students is cell phones," Wishon said of the text messaging plan.
Wishon noted that the University added voicemail service and each student is given a voicemail number, but officials believed they needed to look into other methods of communication in case of a crisis.
"We knew that wouldn't work in case of an emergency," Wishon said.
In addition to the text messaging plan, Wishon said the Office of Information Technology has looked into and is investigating the possibility of voice messages and video messages - available through e-mails or from a Web site - as well as the idea of utilizing the closed-circuit television system on campus for public service announcements.
Wishon said the University is looking into the possibility of broadcasting an emergency tone on Notre Dame's 10 reserved cable channels to alert the University community of any emergencies if it deemed it necessary.
"The bottom line is that we are looking for as many ways as we can to communicate with students, as well as staff and faculty, in an emergency or crisis situation," he said. "As terrible as Monday's tragedy is, the administration here at the University has been working to refine its crisis management plan for some time."
Wishon said the work to "refine" and review crisis management plans was organized and initiated by the Office of the President.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852847.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852847.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852847-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852847-page2.shtml</a>
Kaitlynn Riely, Aaron Steiner and Ken Fowler
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Tragedy prompts campus action
Jenkins e-mail explains University security
Ken Fowler
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News
Though Notre Dame created a task force in 2006 to review crisis plans, the deaths of 33 people at Virginia Tech Monday "will spur even greater review and preparedness," University President Father John Jenkins said in an e-mail to students Thursday.
Though limited in scope, Jenkins' message was the most in-depth explanation of Notre Dame's security measures since Monday's shootings.
In the 700-word letter, Jenkins said Notre Dame has procedures in place to respond to natural emergencies as well as acts of violence. The University continues to search for the best ways to communicate with students in the event of a campus crisis.
Jenkins noted the Office of Information Technology's pilot program to send text messages to all students who provide their cell phone numbers.
University spokesman Don Wycliff said Thursday that Jenkins' letter did not go into more detail about specific response procedures as a safety precaution, so that security details of the plan would not be compromised.
"There had been a sense all during the week that at some point it would be appropriate to address the issues," Wycliff said. "Today seemed appropriate."
Jenkins reaffirmed the University's desire to have the service fully operational by fall and said officials would encourage students to participate in "this important and innovative communications initiative."
The question of communication is only heightened by the University's decision in 2006 to de-standardize land telephone lines in dorm rooms.
In an interview with The Observer at the beginning of the school year, Director of Integrated Communications Services at OIT Steven Ellis said only 60 students initially paid a $161 fee to have the dorm phones in their room. Every resident assistant, however, does have a landline, provided free.
In the e-mail, Jenkins expressed confidence that Notre Dame Security/Police's (NDSP) 28 police officers and 35 additional security personnel could adequately handle major incidents on campus and work with other local emergency responders to control a crisis scene.
"These men and women receive regular training to address a wide variety of emergency situations, and the department maintains a productive and close relationship with all public safety agencies in the area," Jenkins said.
For emergency situations, Jenkins said, the University maintains 48 call boxes throughout campus and keeps telephones in the public areas of each residence hall.
Jenkins did not detail a specific plan of action for NDSP in the event of a major campus incident and did not say what University officials have the authority to declare a lock-down on potions campus or specific buildings.
"Please know that safety is of paramount importance to all of us at Notre Dame," Jenkins said. "While we believe we are ready to respond to a myriad of circumstances, the tragedy at Virginia Tech will spur even greater review and preparedness."
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/News/Tragedy.Prompts.Campus.Action-2871131.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/News/Tragedy.Prompts.Campus.Action-2871131.shtml</a>
Ken Fowler
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Well wishes for the Clas of '007
Gary Caruso
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Viewpoint
Rarely does a year's numerical arrangement offer a cute correlation to an icon like the parallel this year between the Class of '007 with the fictional international spy James Bond. But this week is not a cute one with the massacre at Virginia Tech. Neither is this a charming year with the carnage that defies understanding of both young Americans and Iraqis in the Middle East. The feel of our time is reminiscent of my second semester of freshman year when four students were murdered at Kent State.
It may seem whimsically befitting that at this time of international strife and uncertainty, this year's seniors can be branded with the James Bond code name of "007." Yet it is evident that for the near future, the years ahead will be filled with learning experiences in hope of healing an unsettled world. Life at times is cruel, shocking and unforgiving. Ask the families of sons and daughters lost on the Virginia Tech campus. Ask the maimed servicemen and servicewomen who return from Iraq each day with the scars and nightmares of war.
Within a month, the Notre Dame senior class will march onward to many personal and individual victories. Graduates will disperse in every direction like the high-flying seeds of a mature dandelion scattering on a windy day. Their choices in life can be motivated by either fear or love. All of us must decide if we are motivated by fear so that we are reactive, or if we are motivated by love so that we reach out to others in a proactive way. Tragically, many of us never know that we have a choice.
Notre Dame teaches its graduates to know better, to be better and to act better - not in a self-righteous way, but in service to others. The bonds of love felt at Virginia Tech in light of this week's tragedy are the bonds Notre Dame slowly, subtly instills in its graduates throughout their four-year journey. Many times, though, graduates who believe in absolute certainties diminish their ability for tolerance, open-mindedness and acceptance. However, sometimes the greater forces of the universe change individuals through an abrupt tragedy or death.
This column regularly recalls Notre Dame's so-called "angels," the great friends and teachers who change or mold a student's outlook. In my era, Frank O'Malley, Tom Stritch and Father Robert Griffin were among the iconic figures in our hearts. Most recently, former Notre Dame Security/Police Director Rex Rakow joined that heavenly group. Their thoughts, their deeds and their warmth were the formula that sprouted their wings, but more importantly, touched our hearts.
The members of the Class of '007 cannot conform like puppets to a small segment of our society - although they have sought acceptance within the campus community for nearly four years. Do not confine yourselves to your sense of belonging, to your sense of behavior, or to your sense of morality. If you do limit yourselves, you will strike out against those who are different rather than embrace and tolerate others in our world.
In the family of nations, wisdom is the first cousin of freedom while freedom is the glory of our nation. Without wisdom we cannot be a beacon of light. We cannot be brave, gallant or kind. This nation once stood as the beacon of truth because others yearned for our ideals. Recently, we lost our moral authority with secret prisons, torture, indifference and duplicity. Our leaders replaced wisdom with an ideology.
Does anyone think the world can find answers when we have no dialogue? One thing is for sure, when the Class of '007 grasps the torch of leadership, our nation will be less bigoted and more inclusive. The world will know that this year's graduates have asked the questions and extended a hand. It may take a decade to solve today's current international mess, but it is possible to heal and unite the world. Just when we have walked through a valley thinking that the sun has gone down on us, we should remember that it always comes up again.
Wisdom sometimes comes from the most unlikely sources, and we must learn to open our eyes to everyone. Robert Stroud, the famous prisoner known as "the Birdman of Alcatraz," found a baby sparrow and raised it to maturity. Whenever he thought it was time for the bird to go out into the world on its own, he said, "You best go find out who you are. Kick up dust, dance to fiddle music, taste sweet whiskey and red-eyed gravy. Bite the stars for me."
In the true tradition of Bond, James Bond, this writer has high hopes for the future of this year's graduates and wishes the Class of '007 many bites at the stars. The dust, fiddle music, whiskey and red-eyed gravy are at your discretion.
Gary Caruso, Notre Dame '73, is a political strategist who served as a legislative and public affairs director in President Clinton's administration. His column appears every other Friday. He can be contacted at hottline@aol.com
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Well-Wishes.For.The.Clas.Of.007-2870849.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Well-Wishes.For.The.Clas.Of.007-2870849.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Well-Wishes.For.The.Clas.Of.007-2870849-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Well-Wishes.For.The.Clas.Of.007-2870849-page2.shtml</a>
Gary Caruso
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Value of a life
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Viewpoint
This past Monday, people across the country were glued to their television screens, witnessing the chaos that ensued as the result of the violence carried out on the Virginia Tech campus. Deservedly, this event received a great deal of publicity - it was on the front page of The Observer and also had multi-page layouts and analysis in the Chicago Tribune and New York Times. What didn't receive due media attention were the 37 Iraqi civilians who died the same day of the very same unwarranted and selfish violence, as well as others in Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other war-torn regions who perish daily.
These stories were overshadowed by the story which undoubtedly hit much closer to home for many on the Notre Dame campus. But we must remember that regardless of the locality of violence, it is still violence. The Virginia Tech students who died are no more or no less human than the countless people who die every day.
This is neither a pro- nor anti-war debate. This is a life debate. The murders at Virginia Tech are indeed a tragedy, but please be aware that in many countries violence of this nature is part of their bleak, everyday reality. The frequency of this sort of violence should not discount its impact on our conscience. We must be thankful that we don't suffer from the fear of bombs and bloodshed on a daily basis but also be more mindful about the tragedies and suffering that are experienced by those stretched across the world.
Sean Mallin
sophomore
Keough Hall
April 18
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Value.Of.A.Life-2870832.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Value.Of.A.Life-2870832.shtml</a>
Sean Mallin
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
ND upset by NIU shooting
Students ask question, "Could it happen here?"
John Tierney
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
Notre Dame students expressed sadness and shock Thursday night at yesterday's shooting at Northern Illinois. The tragedy, in which at least six people, including the gunman, were killed and 17 were injured, occurred in a lecture hall less than three hours away from Notre Dame's campus.
Although this generation of Notre Dame students has grown up with school shootings ranging from Columbine in 1999 to Virginia Tech last year, students haven't become immune to the tragedy of school massacres.
"It was very tragic and scary. You have to wonder what's going on with those kids. It makes you wonder if something like that could happen at Notre Dame," sophomore Tim Nelson said.
Many students had not heard of the shooting by Thursday evening, including a group of seniors who stood speechless after being informed of the news.
Student body president Liz Brown noted that school shootings are becoming more common. "Unfortunately, this is kind of becoming an occurrence on college campuses across the nation. Hopefully, this trend will stop," she said.
Brown also expressed a sense of grief at the NIU tragedy.
"This is a hard thing to react to," she said. "This sort of thing has become all too common at schools in the United States."
Senior Meghan Jebb, who was studying in Dublin at the time of the Virginia Tech tragedy, questioned the universality of school shootings.
"I don't know if this kind of thing happens in other countries. After the Va. Tech shootings, the kids in Ireland were like, 'why do they have guns?'" she asked.
Colleen Fleshman, who is from Illinois, said that her first reaction after hearing the news was to call her friends who attend NIU to make sure of their safety. She said she was relieved to find that all her friends were alright.
Although the shooter's motivations are not yet known, some students have wondered about the timing of his attack.
"He probably picked Valentine's Day for a reason," junior Ryan Simmons said.
Sophomore Kyle Hagelskamp agreed.
"It's too bad that people don't feel the love and support of the world and resort to doing something like this," he said. "We need to work on providing a loving and supportive environment to try to prevent this sort of tragedy."
Brown stressed that while she obviously hopes that no similar situation would happen at Notre Dame, the University has precautions in place designed to manage a tragedy.
"Certainly we hope it would never happen at Notre Dame," she said. "We think our campus is very safe. But if it were to ever happen, I'm thankful that we do have the correct measures in place to adequately inform the student body and react quickly."
These measures include the Emergency Networking System that will alert students to any emergency situations through text messages, phone calls and emails. These emergency situations include shootings.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2008/02/15/News/Nd.Upset.By.Niu.Shooting-3213406.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2008/02/15/News/Nd.Upset.By.Niu.Shooting-3213406.shtml</a>
John Tierney
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Government to focus on action in upcoming year
Committees establish 2007-08 agendas
Kaitlynn Riely
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
In other Senate news:
Last week, the student government provided posters for students, faculty and staff to sign messages of condolence for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. Brown said 17 posters were filled with signatures, and they handed out approximately 600 yards of maroon and orange ribbon.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/26/News/Government.To.Focus.On.Action.In.Upcoming.Year-2882543.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/26/News/Government.To.Focus.On.Action.In.Upcoming.Year-2882543.shtml</a>
Kaitlynn Riely
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Security with transparency
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Viewpoint
There are still plenty of questions surrounding what happened Monday at Virginia Tech.
But one thing that isn't up for discussion is that Notre Dame should have a plan in case the unthinkable happens here.
Which is why University President Father John Jenkins' e-mail Thursday discussing emergency plans was a welcome - and much needed - announcement for students, faculty and, maybe most of all, parents.
That message didn't come, however, until days after the shooting - days of wondering and worrying and wanting to know what Notre Dame would do.
Earlier this week, members of the administration and Notre Dame Security/Police were unwilling to comment on the University's preparedness for such an emergency, leaving students questioning if the plan was fully developed.
But now, Jenkins has reassured the community through an e-mail that, while somewhat vague, promises the University will work to further prepare for anything that may come along.
It's understandable that Notre Dame would need time to work out certain details before making a plan public. Still, when information of this nature isn't being released, it's important to tell people why, instead of generating anxious speculation that no plan exists.
Hopefully, Notre Dame's plan will eventually include the text-message initiative, one of the few specifics Jenkins included in his e-mail. If implemented, the procedure would go a long way to helping Notre Dame not repeat the delay in warning students that happened in Blacksburg.
While other details of the plan will likely always be kept secret, it's necessary to be open about all procedures and safety measures that do not compromise security - and open in telling students when information isn't released due to security concerns.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Security.With.Transparency-2870855.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/20/Viewpoint/Security.With.Transparency-2870855.shtml</a>
Editorial Staff
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Campus security reacts to shootings
Saint Mary's reviews security protocols, does not anticipate changes changes
Katie Kohler
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
Saint Mary's students may feel safe on their quiet residential Indiana campus, but until Monday, students in Blacksburg, Va., felt the same way. In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings, members of the Saint Mary's community have began asking, "Are we safe?"
College President Carol Ann Mooney addressed those concerns in an e-mail to students Wednesday, asking them to take steps to protect each other.
"Saint Mary's is a secure place, but that does not mean we have been lulled into complacency," she said in the e-mail. "We must remember that college safety and security is everyone's responsibility."
In an e-mail Tuesday, Vice President of Student Affairs Karen Johnson told students to keep their eyes open and report any suspicious activity on campus - especially near the residence halls.
"Don't let people 'tailgate' into the residence halls behind you," Johnson said. "If anyone tries to do so, report them to the desk attendant or College Security."
Current emergency protocol
While the events at Virginia Tech are making colleges across the nation question their current safety procedures, Saint Mary's is simply working to improve the security protocols in place.
Saint Mary's is trying to improve the existing standard operating procedure in the event of a gun crime or shooting on campus, said Saint Mary's Director of Security David Gariepy.
But rather than a reaction to Monday's Virginia Tech bloodbath, Johnson said these upgrades are always on the administration's agenda.
"This is not something we just started working on," she said. "Security is always of utmost importance, and so we are always working on making it better."
The administration and members of a security planning committee, she said, are currently reviewing a new duty manual.
The Saint Mary's Security Web site has a detailed emergency response plan for chemical or biological threats and natural disasters, keeping the stipulations of Homeland Security. There is no specific mention, however, of gun crime protocols.
In any emergency, students can expect notification via e-mail, telephone and direct contact, according to the Web site.
The site also encourages students to have emergency supplies pre-packed in case of an evacuation and take shelter in the basement of Regina Hall.
"It is not recommended you remain in your room or office, nor should you leave the campus. Assistance will be provided for you there," the Web site reads.
As helpful these tips may be, Gariepy said each situation is different and unpredictable.
"Everything pertains to a particular situation. Going by the book doesn't always cut it," he said. "Students should always be aware."
The problem, though, is that most students are not keeping an eye out for suspicious activities, and even if they did, they might simply panic, sophomore Kristen Anderson said.
"If there was a shooting, a bomb threat, a rapist on campus, anything really, I would have no idea how to react, and I know many students feel the same way," she said.
Sophomore Perri Hamma felt the same, saying she was still shaking from hearing about the Virginia Tech massacre and wouldn't know how to react in a similar situation.
"I honestly don't have any idea about our emergency procedures," Hamma said. "If something bad happened, I don't think I'd know what to do."
Accessing residence halls
Of the four residence halls on Saint Mary's campus, only one - McCandless Hall - has an ID card swipe access system in place at the front door. LeMans and Regina Hall lobbies are open, but visitors must swipe an ID card to go up to the rooms. Holy Cross Hall does not require swiping at all, but Johnson said she doesn't think students in the residence hall are more exposed for this reason.
"I don't think there is any greater risk at Holy Cross than other dorms that require swiping," Johnson said. "If somebody really wants to get into any building, they will figure it out."
Johnson gave residents - not ID card capabilities -the responsibility of keeping the halls clear of strangers.
"The dorm is only as safe as the people that live there make it," she said.
Lockdown
In the event of a lockdown, Saint Mary's will "start at the top," Gariepy said. The president will make the judgment call through recommendations from security officials.
A lockdown, however, may not be the safest option.
"Lockdown isn't always a good option. It is determined by the particular event we are dealing with and may cause more harm than good," Gariepy said. "In some situations, keeping people where they are is good. In others, it could be dangerous."
While heightened security is assumed during emergency situations, the security Web site said that in case of an evacuation of Regina, all swipe-card systems would be deactivated "for easy access."
Johnson also said a campus lockdown is not necessarily the first choice.
"It really depends on if we can safely evaluate if it is safer to stay in your rooms or go some place safer," she said. "At Virginia Tech, it was decided it was safer to stay in the dorms. It really depends."
Communication and cooperation
In the case of Monday's massacre, authorities are still investigating Virginia Tech's response rate and implementation of its protocols. While Saint Mary's is willing to employ every method of communication to alert students, Gariepy said notifying students too early could also be dangerous.
"It is hard to put out a notification with something like a shooting unless we really and truly know what we're dealing with," he said. "If we don't know the facts, we could potentially alarm students when we don't have to."
Once the situation has been identified, however, Gariepy said the College would alert students in person, through e-mails, flyers and even an emergency toll-free number with regularly updated messages about the status of the emergency. This number is aimed more at parents, he said.
From there, the College notifies other agencies, including the St. Joseph County Police Department and Notre Dame Security/Police, to assist with the handling of the situation, Gariepy said. He said he is confident that these collaborations, combined with a calm and collected approach, will yield the best possible results for students.
"We [campus security] will stick to protocol at the present time," Gariepy said. "We always talk to the staff after events like this to keep it fresh in our minds, but, for the most part, we are going to stay consistent with our policies."
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852848.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852848.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852848-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852848-page2.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852848-page3.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Campus.Security.Reacts.To.Shootings-2852848-page3.shtml</a>
Katie Kohler
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Leaders draft letter to Virginia Tech
Group offers condolences, solidarity; discusses candlelight memorial service
Kaitlynn Riely
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
At their first meeting following the shooting deaths of 32 students and faculty members at Virginia Tech, the Student Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to send a letter to the mourning community to express its condolences.
Student body president Liz Brown wrote the letter after she received several e-mails from students and senators asking the student government to do something in the wake of the tragedy.
The letter, signed by Brown and vice president Maris Braun as representatives of the Student Senate, expressed Notre Dame's shock and sorrow after Monday's events, when Virginia Tech senior Cho Seung-Hui opened fire - first in a dorm and then in a classroom building - before turning the gun on himself.
"Despite the many miles that separate our campuses, the victims of this tragedy, as well as the entire Virginia Tech community, remain at the forefront of our thoughts and always in our prayers," the letter reads. "No amount of words will take away the pain and suffering of these events, but we pray that God will guide you through this difficult time."
The letter also describes several memorial events the student government intends to hold today and in the next few days.
The student government plans to send posters depicting the mascots of each of the 27 dorms, signed by members of the Notre Dame community. Included with the posters, Brown said, will be a note of solidarity to say that Virginia Tech is included in the Notre Dame community.
Students can sign the posters today from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the main television lounge in LaFortune. Students can also sign the posters on Fieldhouse Mall today and Friday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Each person who signs the posters will receive a maroon or orange ribbon - Virginia Tech's colors - as a sign to show their solidarity with the school, Brown said.
A rosary service is planned at the Grotto for Friday, although no definitive time has been announced.
Senators disagreed over whether to light 32 candles at the Grotto or 33 - to include the gunman. Brown's original letter stated that the Notre Dame community would light 32 candles entwined with maroon and orange ribbons.
But Morrissey senator Tom Bacsik asked the Senate to consider whether or not to change that number to 33 to include Cho. Zahm senator Nick McCollum said he believed the number should be changed.
"I feel as a Catholic university, we do stand for forgiveness, and I think we should still pray for him for what he did," McCollum said. "I think we should forgive him."
Residence Life committee chair Mariana Montes questioned whether people at Virginia Tech - which is not a predominately Catholic university - would find Notre Dame's forgiveness offensive.
Brown said she would make the decision to change or not to change the number according to the number listed on Virginia Tech's Web site, allowing the school to make the decision about how many victims there were.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Leaders.Draft.Letter.To.Virginia.Tech-2852850.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Leaders.Draft.Letter.To.Virginia.Tech-2852850.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Leaders.Draft.Letter.To.Virginia.Tech-2852850-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/News/Leaders.Draft.Letter.To.Virginia.Tech-2852850-page2.shtml</a>
Kaitlynn Riely
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Leaders consider responses to tragedy
Sonia Rao
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: News
In light of the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy Monday, student body president Liz Brown asked members of the Council of Representatives (COR) for input Tuesday on how the Notre Dame student body could show its support to the campus located in Blacksburg, Va.
"Immediately after this happened, [student body vice president] Maris [Braun] and I started talking about what we should send as a student body," Brown said, noting that both she and Braun had already received e-mails from concerned students with suggestions.
"One of the ideas that has been tossed around is some kind of letter that we would write and solicit signatures from the student body from a variety of points on campus," Brown said. "We just want to get as many signatures of support as possible to send in one package. We could also have blank cards at those sites that people could write messages on."
Braun said she looked on Virginia Tech's Web site and saw the school was observing National Maroon and Gold Day.
"I think that it would be a really cool thing if we could get Notre Dame students to observe this day sometime next week or something ... maybe notify them through advertisement in The Observer, sending an e-mail out or whatever," she said.
In addition to these ideas, members suggested that the student body observe a moment of silence sometime next week, either at a designated location or just during first minute of class at a certain time.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Leaders.Consider.Responses.To.Tragedy-2849121.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Leaders.Consider.Responses.To.Tragedy-2849121.shtml</a>
Sonia Rao
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Mass for Virginia Tech provides consolation, hope
Students, community members fill Basilica
John Tierney
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: News
Only a week after Easter, the Notre Dame community once again "finds [itself] at the foot of the Cross," said Father Pete McCormick during his homily at a memorial Mass for the Virginia Tech community Tuesday night at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
"We always have the Cross in our life, but we do not grieve without hope," said McCormick, the assistant rector of Dillon Hall, who was just ordained on Saturday.
The Mass, presided over by Vice President for Student Affairs Father Mark Poorman, was organized Monday after news of the 33-person massacre at Virginia Tech broke. Students were informed of the Mass by an urgent IrishLink email from Poorman late Monday.
The Basilica was packed to a standing room only capacity, with the entire rear lobby of the church completely full. The Mass drew more people than last fall's 9/11 five-year anniversary Mass.
The congregation was made up largely of students, although many members of the outside community were also present. Some students came straight from the library, carrying their backpacks, while many dressed nicely for the service. Following the Mass, many students visited the Grotto to pray and reflect on the massacre.
In his homily, McCormick emphasized the powerful emotions many Americans have felt in the past few days in response to the tragedy at Virginia Tech.
"We have been overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions. [...] We are shocked, we are fearful, and we are angered," he said.
McCormick also underlined the similarities between the Notre Dame and Virginia Tech communities.
"We've heard the stories of students, staff and professors who died, and we realized that their goals and ambitions are not that different from our own," he said.
Because of these similarities, McCormick said he believes the Notre Dame and Virginia Tech communities are "of one thought and mind." Like those at Virginia Tech's candlelight vigil Tuesday night, the members of the Notre Dame community worshiping at the Basilica and praying at the Grotto "gathered to pray for the lost souls and for peace in their hearts, and in our own," he said.
The Mass was meant to represent the concern for the spiritual unity of all humankind.
"When one part of the human community suffers, we all suffer," McCormick said.
McCormick said he believes members of the Notre Dame community can take strength in the Holy Spirit after Monday's tragedy, which was the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.
"The Holy Spirit allows us to move from a state of fear to faith," McCormick said. "We may be fearful, but it is faith, not fear, that transforms and heals our wounds."
While Monday's events were undoubtedly tragic, McCormick stressed the ability to overcome disaster and increase spiritual strength.
"It is only for us now to find how even the Cross can be borne as a gift," he said to close his homily.
The message of the Mass was not one of depression, but a more hopeful state of solidarity with fellow humans.
"We must be a community with hope to bring. There is no failure that the Lord cannot reverse," McCormick said.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116-page2.shtml</a>
John Tierney
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Campus reacts to Virginia Tech massacre
ND students directly affected by shootings through ties to VT
Aaron Steiner
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: News
Virginia Tech is more than 500 miles from Notre Dame, but the effects of what reports call the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history have been felt here on campus.
A lone gunman shot and killed more than 30 people and injured dozens more on the Blacksburg, Va., campus before committing suicide Monday, according to Associated Press reports. Officials told AP that the gunman killed two people in a dormitory approximately two hours before staging a separate attack on a classroom building.
Nearly 30 people were estimated to have been injured, according to area hospital officials, CNN reported.
The Notre Dame community is saddened by the tragedy, Assistant Vice President of News and Information Dennis Brown said Monday.
"Our prayers go out to any people affected," Brown said.
Notre Dame will hold a memorial Mass for the victims tonight at 10 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Brown noted that members of the administration know people at Virginia Tech and said the University sends its support and prayers.
Students reported hearing the news through various sources throughout the day Monday, with some hearing from friends and family directly tied to Virginia Tech.
Graduate student Patrick LaFratta, a 2005 Virginia Tech alumnus who said one of his friends had died in the shootings, said he had been in contact with friends from the school throughout the day by phone and online.
LaFratta said he first heard the news of the shootings from his girlfriend, a Virginia Tech alumna, around 10 a.m. LaFratta confirmed that his girlfriend's sister, a current Virginia Tech student, was safe, as well as the safety of several close friends.
"When I first heard, they were reporting there was only one death," LaFratta said. "I thought, 'It's a really sad event and I want to know what is going on.'"
Soon, the news coverage took a personal tone.
LaFratta said he eventually heard that one acquaintance had been killed in the first incident in the dorm. By Monday night, LaFratta said he had seen pictures on television of his slain friend.
He said he knew the friend from Virginia Tech's marching band, where LaFratta played trumpet.
Other students with friends at the school expressed their concern Monday afternoon.
Sophomore Amelia Gillespie heard the news from her roommate before going to class Monday morning.
"I was in shock. I have a couple of friends that go there, and I'm still waiting to hear back from them," Gillespie said. "I tried to call them, but they haven't called back. I think they're okay, because I've heard from other friends."
Freshman Tracy Jennings also has friends at Virginia Tech.
"One of my friends called me around 2 p.m.," said Jennings, who is from Richmond, Va.
The friend who initially called Jennings was not a student there, but the freshman received calls from Virginia Tech students shortly thereafter.
"As soon as one friend called, another did, and more," Jennings said.
The students couldn't give many details about the incident, she said.
"All [they] said was that there was a shooting ... and at least 20 kids had been killed and at least 20 injured," she said. "As far as I've heard, everyone I know is OK."
Jennings said she couldn't contact some of her friends there Monday afternoon because phone lines were busy.
Monica Tarnawski, a sophomore, said she heard here from a friend who attends Virginia Tech Monday afternoon through the social networking Web site Facebook.
"She actually composed a note that said 'I'm fine,' and we all saw it," Tarnawski said.
Like Tarnawski, Jennings and Gillespie, LaFratta said that initially, all reports about his friends had been positive - until later Monday evening, when he first heard his friend had been killed.
LaFratta was watching television news coverage of the shooting when he learned there were more deaths that initially reported.
"At around 12:15 p.m. or so ... all of a sudden, one of the three [channels] reported that there were at least 20 dead," LaFratta said. "I just really hoped it was a mistake."
LaFratta said he soon realized the situation was much more complex than the initial single death, and he said he then felt a "tremendous amount of sorrow."
LaFratta took classes in the academic building where the majority of the deaths occurred.
"A few years ago, I was there," LaFratta said. "It hits home - these things really do happen."
LaFratta said it was hard to imagine a scare on Virginia Tech's campus last year while a convict was loose in the area. This tragedy, he said, is even harder to picture.
"The magnitude of the event is just so overwhelming," LaFratta said.
LaFratta said he would have never predicted anything like this at a campus he described as "exceptionally peaceful."
Students at Notre Dame said they feel safe on campus but recognize that an event like Monday's could happen at anywhere, Notre Dame included.
"Things like that, especially on television - it seems so far away ... [but] I think it could happen anywhere," said Chris Heckett, a visiting graduate student. "To think otherwise would probably be thoughtless."
Erin Smith, a senior, echoed Heckett's thoughts.
"It makes you realize that it could happen anywhere, on any college campus," she said. "It kind of makes you think about the security here at Notre Dame, or at any college campus."
Brown declined to comment on Notre Dame's policies or crisis management plans for any type of violent tragedy like the one Monday morning.
But Smith said she has never felt anxious about security at Notre Dame.
"I've never felt unsafe at Notre Dame," Smith said.
Senior Paul Mitchell agreed.
"I still feel as safe here as anywhere," Mitchell said, stating, however, that his notions of safety do not make Notre Dame exempt from violence like Monday's tragedy.
Virginia Tech, with an enrollment of more than 25,000, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 160 miles west of Richmond, Va. Jennings said Virginia Tech's location as a college town - not part of a large urban area - makes her think about Notre Dame's similar setting.
"Honestly, Tech ... is in the middle of nowhere - and it seems kind of like South Bend, which is a scary thought, being here. It's a pretty enclosed campus, like here," she said.
Gillespie said the incident "kind of just puts things into perspective."
"It makes me look outside the [Notre Dame] bubble a little bit," she said. "It's a small world."
Sophomore Katie Bergerow said the tragedy caused her and her roommates to consider their safety in the residence halls.
"We were talking about how we leave our door unlocked," Bergerow said. They probably wouldn't change that behavior, she said, but the tragedy "really shows that something like this could happen."
Students are also lucky to have a variety of support resources available, said Gaotam Shewakramani, a Notre Dame alumnus visiting campus. He said such resources could help avert a violent crisis, especially those available to students who are struggling emotionally.
"I think there are a lot of resources for those who are having difficulties," Shewakramani said. "I would be surprised if someone [who is struggling] wouldn't be reached out to."
Still, Tarnawski said, it's important to remember that you can't know what people are feeling.
"You never know what people are going through inside," Tarnawski said. "Someone after my English class was like, 'You know, I just wonder what was going on in that person's life that caused them to snap.'"
That same thought crossed Mitchell's mind as well.
"My first question was why - why would someone do that, just asking questions to the psychology of that and what enables that sort of violence," Mitchell said.
Monday's massacre will go down as the deadliest campus shooting in national history. Previously, the largest was a rampage that took place in 1966 at the University of Texas at Austin, where 16 people were killed before police shot the gunman to death.
As the facts of yesterday's tragedy are investigated, some students say while there is little they can do, they can send their prayers and support.
"Right now, I'm here to offer any type of support I can, get involved, bring any type of awareness," Gillespie said.
LaFratta said he has done "a lot of praying" and will continue to do so.
"My first reaction is to pray a lot - my thoughts go out to all those families," LaFratta said.
LaFratta said he plans to attend tonight's memorial Mass.
--
Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947-page2.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947-page3.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947-page3.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947-page4.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/17/News/Campus.Reacts.To.Virginia.Tech.Massacre-2845947-page4.shtml</a>
Aaron Steiner
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng