Inside Norris Hall
description: More than 20 news outlets toured the April 16 shootings site By: Amy L. Kovac (June 14) The cinderblock walls of Norris Hall's second-floor classrooms and hallway are covered with a new coat of cream-colored paint. The classrooms stand bare, save for some newly installed white boards where blackboards previously hung. New doors replaced the ones on classrooms 204, 206, 207 and 211 that Seung-Hui Cho shot through in his violent fit almost two months ago. But if it were not for the dozens of journalists, with their cameras and notepads, roaming the hallway, that second floor might have looked as sterile and uninhabited as any newly renovated building on Virginia Tech's campus. The news media got their first post-April 16 look at this now-infamous building, starting at 10 this morning. Previously, journalists had been blocked from entering Norris. "A horrendous and heinous and horrific crime occurred on our campus and on state property, and I owe it to you as members of the working press to see this," said Larry Hincker, the associate vice president for university relations. "I simply did not want to subject families to images of Norris Hall at that time," he explained. "It was my decision, and I'll take the heat for closing the building at the time." The university has offered each of the families of the victims - the murdered and the injured - the opportunity to tour the building to help in the healing process, Hincker said. So far, 18 families have walked through Norris Hall with university police escorts. The building, where 30 of the 32 people were killed by Cho on April 16, houses several laboratories used by various engineering departments and will reopen to faculty, staff and students Monday. Three of those labs, including the university's only machine shop, were part of the media tour. "Not being able to get in the building has basically shut down what many researchers on campus used," said David Simmons, the supervisor of the machine shop. "It was a big hindr…
creator: Amy L. Kovac
date: 2007-06-27
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: Chris Winston <Chris.Winston@biglicku.com>
language: eng

CCC Hosts Vigil for V-Tech
description: MOURNING: At the official UC Irvine vigil for Virginia Tech administrators offered support to students. By Anam Siddiq Staff Writer In a vigil hosted by the Cross Cultural Center and UC Irvine Student Affairs, candles were passed out to hundreds of students, faculty and friends who had gathered on April 23 to give a final salute to all those killed and injured at the hands of one unstable man. Exactly one week earlier, the sun rose in Blacksburg, Virg. on a truly unfortunate scene. By the next week, the tragic events that had occurred at Virginia Polytechnic Institute were common knowledge, and although students across the campus had already held numerous vigils, UCI felt compelled to officially honor the victims in a formal ceremony. The event, advertised by the CCC, was also publicized by e-mails sent by Chancellor Michael Drake and included speakers from UCI administration, including Vice Chancellor Manuel Gomez and Dean of Students Sally Peterson. Irvine Mayor Beth Krom and Orange County Human Relations Representative Ken Inouye were also asked to speak at the vigil, as well as two student representatives, ASUCI President Stephanie Johnson and Korean American Student Association Rep Rheela Kim. At 6:45 p.m., student musician Andrew Heringer began the ceremony with penetrating music played on his acoustic guitar. At the end an uncommonly serene silence befell Ring Road as the chattering crowd delved into quiet contemplation. Peterson was introduced, and emphasized that the program was one of remembrance. As she listed the names of the victims, the wind rustled through the crowd and blew out the candles. Gomez then read a message from Drake, who was in Washington, and assured the crowd that in the aftermath of this terrible event, the administration would "redouble [its] efforts to confirm the safety of the students and faculty on this campus." Gomez continued, saying that even though Irvine is one of the safest cities in the world, UCI and Virginia Tech shared ma…
creator: Anam Siddiq
date: 2007-08-19
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: Zachary Gale <newueic@gmail.com>
language: eng

CULTURA DE VIOLENCIA EN ESTADOS UNIDOS Y EL SISTEMA CAPITALISTA
description: Publicado por Andercismo Los últimos acontecimientos en Estados Unidos - desagrdables por supuesto - nos trae a tema la cuestion del ¿por qué?. Definitivamente en este país existe una cultura que promueve la violencia pero quizás el tema vaya mucho mas alla y se trate en realidad de un modelo socioeconomico capitalista el verdadero responsable de todo esto. Recordemos primero que Los Estados Unidos constituyen tal vez el único país del mundo donde sus ciudadanos cometen actos de violencia mortal contra profesores, administradores y estudiantes en recintos escolares. Vale empezar aclarando que el estado norteamericano promueva la idea de que las armas y el uso de la violencia son un método para conseguir la libertad. La política armamentista del presidente Bush solo alimenta esta ideologia en una sociedad con un marco de conflicitividad social, pensado esto, no es tan sorprendete el tipo de matanzas que cada cierto tiempo llenan de dolor al pueblo estadounidense. Estados Unidos posee casi un arma por habitante, sumado a esto es necesario destacar los altos niveles de desigualdad social que existe en el país: esto es altos indices de pobreza, de encarcelamiento y de represión. No es el "País de la Libertad como se cree". Este país tiene recogida en la segunda enmienda de su Constitución el derecho de los ciudadanos a portar armas de fuego. La tradición que acoge esta disposición legal crea una espiral diabólica en la que la existencia de delitos promovidos con armas de fuego motiva que las personas caigan en la tentación de disponer de éstas, lo que a su vez promueve su uso. Sin lugar a dudas acontecimientos como los de Virginia Tech y Columbine no seran los mas impresionantes ni los últimos. Estados Unidos es un país que desde el 11-S ha sido victima de una paronoia genralizada y obsesiva con la seguridad, lo cual ha justificado una guerra en la que casi todos los días se reportan tragedias de la misma o mayor magnitud de lo ocurrido hoy en Virg…
creator: Andercismo
date: 2007-07-27
contributor: Elva Orozco
rights: Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirDerivadasIgual 2.5 Argentina
language: spa

Professor who died in tragedy worked at UNC
description: Christopher James Bishop, known as Jamie in his five years at UNC, was killed Monday in the tragedy that left 33 dead on the campus of Virginia Tech. He was 35. Bishop worked as an academic technology liaison at UNC from 2000 until 2005 with the Office of Arts & Sciences Information Services. He also taught an intermediate German course in 2004. He left UNC to become an adjunct instructor of German and a technology trainer with the Faculty Development Institute at Va. Tech. He was leading a class in introductory German at about 9:50 a.m. Monday when the gunman aimed at his head and fired, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. "Jamie's thoughtfulness, energy and laughter made him a wonderful peer and friend to many," his former co-workers said in a collective statement. "His legacy continues to shape the education of thousands of students to this day." Bishop first was hired at UNC as a temporary employee in 2000, his former supervisor, Jason Li, said. Bishop later was hired as a full-time employee, working with instructors in language departments and providing one-on-one training in computer applications. "He was such a motivated, dedicated employee," Li said. Charlie Green, associate vice chancellor for teaching and learning at Information Technology Services, looked back fondly on his time working with Bishop. "He was a creative thinker," Green said. "He was someone who saw technology as a creative tool." One innovation of Bishop's was a way to record students' language practice through laptops. Previously, students had to tape-record their practice and physically bring the tape to their instructor, Green said. Bishop crafted a software package to record and send the practice digitally - which is of much higher quality and much more efficient. But Bishop's value was more than just in his work. "He cared about people," Green said. "He would spend a lot of time making sure people he worked with had everything they needed." Green said this aspect of his personality i…
creator: Andrew Dunn
publisher: Daily Tar Heel
date: 2007-07-27
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: Kevin Schwartz <kschwartz@unc.edu>
language: eng

Grieving nation copes with tragedy
description: University reps. meet with BPD to discuss prevention By: Andrew FitzGerald Posted: 4/18/07 The day after a Virginia Tech senior shot and killed 32 people on campus and himself, representatives from 19 Boston-area colleges who met at Boston Police Department headquarters said they must improve communication in the future to prevent similar campus attacks. University administrators joined state and local police forces to discuss "protocol, procedure and planning" that goes into preventing campus attacks during a meeting requested by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis, said BPD spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll. Representatives at the meeting said they wanted to ensure the BPD and campus security forces are able to communicate through radio, according to Driscoll, who cited the existing Boston Area Emergency Radio Network -- a link between local campus and police departments -- that received boosted support after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Virginia Tech and college campuses around the country have reacted to Monday's shootings, in which 32 people were killed by Virginia Tech senior Cho Seung-Hui. The 23-year-old English major from South Korea killed two people in a residence hall shortly after 7 a.m., and he killed 30 in a classroom building two hours later a half-mile across campus. Local university administrators also compared methods they use to communicate with students in pressing situations, Driscoll said. Virginia Tech officials have received widespread criticism for not immediately contacting university members after the first shooting. Officials first sent an email to the university about the residence hall shooting at 9:26 a.m., while the gunman was carrying out his second attack. Driscoll said another topic discussed was the importance of "recognizing the tendency of someone who may act in violence." Classmates and professors have described the shooter as someone who was not very sociable, and some professors had referred him for counseling, accord…
creator: Andrew FitzGerald
publisher: The Daily Free Press
date: 2007-08-14
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: Matt Negrin <editor@dailyfreepress.com>
language: eng

Letter to the editor
description: Aug. 28, 2007 The article "Students fight for guns on campus" by Claire St. Amant was amazing. I feel she showed the views of both sides without offending either. With that said, I noticed the editorial "Gun groups gone wrong." This editorial has obviously come from a person who has not adequately researched into concealed handguns and the lawful use of them. Each year over 170,000 crimes are deterred by law abiding, licensed people who use their weapons without firing a single shot. Sometimes it's the mere thought of a weapon being present that can deter the crime. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus is not saying that those with concealed handgun licenses should be vigilantes. During our courses, we are taught how to respond not only if we are forced as a last resort to pull the trigger, but also how to react with police officers under any under circumstances. I don't want to give the wrong impression when I say this, but even if Baylor police could afford to employ more officers, they can't always protect us. There was an instance within a year prior of Virginia Tech at Appalachian Law School. A shooter entered into the school and began shooting. Two students who were following the state laws of "no guns on campus" ran to their vehicles and broke the law to save the lives of their fellow students. They apprehended the shooter and waited for police to arrive to arrest the shooter. There was a similar situation in Pennsylvania where a vice principal of a junior high saved his students' lives. A madman entered the school with a shotgun and began shooting; the vice principal ran to his truck to retrieve his pistol. He returned to stop the shooter from injuring any more of his students. Yes, our current system can be improved. In the instance of the Virginia Tech shooter, he was let through a loophole that Virginia had set up. I agree that certain people should not be allowed to own or even touch a firearm. Texas has laws in place that make it a felony. SCCC bases …
creator: Andrew Sugg
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

Letter to the editor
description: Aug. 28, 2007 The article "Students fight for guns on campus" by Claire St. Amant was amazing. I feel she showed the views of both sides without offending either. With that said, I noticed the editorial "Gun groups gone wrong." This editorial has obviously come from a person who has not adequately researched into concealed handguns and the lawful use of them. Each year over 170,000 crimes are deterred by law abiding, licensed people who use their weapons without firing a single shot. Sometimes it's the mere thought of a weapon being present that can deter the crime. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus is not saying that those with concealed handgun licenses should be vigilantes. During our courses, we are taught how to respond not only if we are forced as a last resort to pull the trigger, but also how to react with police officers under any under circumstances. I don't want to give the wrong impression when I say this, but even if Baylor police could afford to employ more officers, they can't always protect us. There was an instance within a year prior of Virginia Tech at Appalachian Law School. A shooter entered into the school and began shooting. Two students who were following the state laws of "no guns on campus" ran to their vehicles and broke the law to save the lives of their fellow students. They apprehended the shooter and waited for police to arrive to arrest the shooter. There was a similar situation in Pennsylvania where a vice principal of a junior high saved his students' lives. A madman entered the school with a shotgun and began shooting; the vice principal ran to his truck to retrieve his pistol. He returned to stop the shooter from injuring any more of his students. Yes, our current system can be improved. In the instance of the Virginia Tech shooter, he was let through a loophole that Virginia had set up. I agree that certain people should not be allowed to own or even touch a firearm. Texas has laws in place that make it a felony. SCCC bases …
creator: Andrew Sugg
date: 2008-02-05
contributor: Kacey Beddoes
rights: Julie Freeman (Julie_Freeman@baylor.edu)
language: eng

University Police sees improvement in handling crime on campus
description: By: Andy Boyle Posted: 4/30/07 Bomb threats, drunken drivers, pot smokers and thieves. Those are just of the few problems university police dealt with during the past year. Capt. Carl Oestmann of University Police said he thinks major criminal offenses decreased over the past year, and the minor ones have either decreased or stayed relatively the same. "I think (the decrease) shows that an improvement in the constant awareness that our department has - staying alert for any criminal activity and patrolling the way we do in certain areas on campus," Oestmann said. He said the Virginia Tech shootings have caused an increase in calls from people concerned about cases of depression in students. "It might not be criminal," he said of students' depression, "but the safety of our students and faculty and staff is important, and that's part of ensuring that people are OK here." Oestmann said he doesn't mind receiving those calls because "we want people to feel comfortable if they have concern for another student." The Interfraternity Council also amended its bylaws and will require all greek housing to have installed a fire monitoring system by Aug. 27, 2007. The monitoring system will hardwire all of the smoke detectors into a central unit, so if a smoke alarm goes off, a signal will be sent to the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department immediately. During this summer, University Police will be beta testing laptops for their cruisers, said Officer Gary Etherton of University Police in early April. With these new systems, officers won't have to radio everything in to dispatch, which could help save time, he said. Other than that, Oestmann said, University Police will continue to investigate cases it already has on file and get ready for next semester. Oestmann said the officers have been working to communicate with different university departments about problems they've had, and they're still addressing concerns the campus community might have. -- Original Source: Daily Nebrask…
creator: Andy Boyle
publisher: Daily Nebraskan
date: 2007-09-03
contributor: Sara AA Hood
rights: Josh Swartzlander <jdwriter19@yahoo.com>
language: eng

Bomb threat called in to Othmer Hall
description: By: Andy Boyle Posted: 4/20/07 A man called in a bomb threat to Othmer Hall around noon Friday, university officials said. Authorities did not find any explosives during an initial search of the building. After being closed for about two hours, the building is now open to students and faculty. At a 3 p.m. press conference, Chancellor Harvey Perlman said Friday's bomb threat was not real. "I do want to observe that several other campuses around the country ... have had similar threats over the course of this week," he said. "And to some extent, unfortunately, these are to be expected when we had a major event like we had at Virginia Tech." University officials said if students feel uncomfortable being on campus Friday, they should leave. Kelly Bartling, a university spokeswoman, said there were no classes Friday at Othmer Hall, Nebraska Hall and Walter Scott Engineering Center, which are all connected, because of an engineering college event. Several hundred people were scheduled to visit the building Friday because of the event, called EWeek. Those events are now canceled. Bartling said a man called the dean's office and told an assistant, "I planted a bomb in the building, you bitch." Othmer Hall contains the Biological Process Development Facility, which researches vaccines for biological warfare agents, according to the facility's Web site, www.pbdf.unl.edu. John Ballard, associate dean of the college of engineering, didn't know if there was a hazard involved because of that. The university has sent out three e-mails notifying students of what's happening. The e-mails suggest students avoid the area. Othmer Hall was the first building to be evacuated, said University Police Chief Owen Yardley. Nebraska Hall and Walter Scott Engineering Center were evacuated about 20 minutes later. The last bomb threat called in to the university was in late September, when a man approached a group of sorority members at the parking garage at 17th and R claiming to have a bomb. Ya…
creator: Andy Boyle
publisher: Daily Nebraskan
date: 2007-09-03
contributor: Sara AA Hood
rights: Josh Swartzlander <jdwriter19@yahoo.com>
language: eng

We Need Emergency SMS Broadcasting Tools NOW!
description: April 16, 2007 It's been a dizzying day taking in the horrible news from Virginia Tech, just a few hours west of DC, with at least 30 people on campus killed by a lone gunman. I spent a good part of the morning running back and forth between NPR's digital media department, the offices of Talk of the Nation, and the central hub space shared by NPR's news team during emergencies. Now that I've had a chance to sit on the train, head back home from work, and think about what happened today, I'm already angered by one bit of news I hadn't considered earlier in the day: that approximately two hours passed between the first shooting incident and the later massacre in the classrooms. During that time, it appears that almost no communications went out, apart from several mass email informing students of a shooting incident earlier in the day. The first email went out just before 9:30am, just after the final shootings began in the classrooms: Subject: Shooting on campus. "A shooting incident occurred at West Amber Johnston earlier this morning. Police are on the scene and are investigating. "The university community is urged to be cautious and are asked to contact Virginia Tech Police if you observe anything suspicious or with information on the case. Contact Virginia Tech Police at 231-6411 "Stay attuned to the http://www.vt.edu. We will post as soon as we have more information." This was followed by several other emails: Second email sent at 9:50 a.m.: Subject: PLease stay put "A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows" Third email sent at 10:17 a.m.: Subject: All Classes Canceled; Stay where you are "Virginia Tech has canceled all classes. Those on campus are asked to remain where there are, lock their doors and stay away from windows. Persons off campus are asked not to come to campus." Fourth email sent at 10:53 a.m.: Subject: Second Shooting Reported; Police have one gunman in custody "In addition to an earlier shoot…
creator: Andy Carvin
date: 2007-05-23
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0
language: eng

Web site commemorates those lost in Virginia Tech tragedy
description: Issue Date:Thursday April 26, 2007 Section: HeadLine News Section Angela Moscaritolo, Staff Writer Three West Virginia University journalism students are putting together a memorial Web site for Virginia Tech. Stephen Matthews, Missy Brown and Andy Smith traveled to Virginia Tech last week to cover the tragedy for a Web site to honor the victims. "Our mission is to tell the story of the students that were there," Matthews said. The Web site will focus on the victims and their friends and families. There will be no coverage of the killer as part of the Web site, Matthews said. The night before their drive to Virginia Tech, Matthews and Brown searched the Internet for contacts. Matthews heard back from the best friend of victim Ross Alameddine. "I've honestly never heard someone's voice who was so disturbed," Matthews said. When they got to the Virginia Tech campus, Matthews, Brown and Smith were met with a flood of other media. They saw stations covering the tragedy from Spain, Russia, Canada and more, Matthews said. On campus there were "hundreds upon hundreds" of flowers and signatures filling large white poster boards, Brown said. Also, no one ever spoke above a whisper, Matthews added. They saw inspirational messages sent from other colleges, such as New York University and Auburn University. "That just shows that it's affected all schools," said Matthews. The three students took audio and video recordings along with still photography for the multimedia Web site. Matthews, Brown and Smith are aiming to complete the Web site by May 13 but because of finals, the deadline for the project may get pushed back. Through their experience at Virginia Tech, Matthews, Brown and Smith said they learned real-world lessons about journalism. Smith was shooting photographs of the campus and came across Virginia Tech students crying in front of Norris Hall. He made an ethical decision not to take photos of the students. "The last thing they needed was a guy sticking a camera in t…
creator: Angela Moscaritolo (Author)/Andy Smith (Photo)
date: 2008-02-18
contributor: Kacey Beddoes
rights: Leann Ray <Leann.Ray@mail.wvu.edu>
language: eng

Alum receives probation for 'maliciously conveying false information'
description: By Anita Pere Staff writer Baylor alumnus David Paul Cunningham, who in May threatened to destroy various buildings on Baylor's main campus, received three years of probation Thursday in a U.S. district court. According to his attorney, Vik Deivanayagam, Cunningham, 34, was able to avoid prison time due to mental instability stemming from a serious head injury incurred while playing rugby at Baylor. Cunningham faced a total of 20 years in prison for two felony counts of "maliciously conveying false information." On May 1, Cunningham called a Baylor switchboard operator and told her he planned to place diesel drums in the basements of every building at Baylor, according to court records. Cunningham said he would take this action in response to his perceived involvement of Baylor in the Virginia Tech shootings. The Baylor Police Department was able to trace the call to a hotel room in Tyler, Cunningham's hometown. The next day, Cunningham called Baylor Police Chief Jim Doak, threatening bodily harm. Again, he mentioned the Virginia Tech incident. The call was traced to the same hotel room. The Tyler Police Department arrested Cunningham later that day. "The justice system worked as it is supposed to," Doak said of the sentencing. According to an article appearing in the Waco Tribune-Herald, Deivanayagam was able to convince U.S. District Judge Walter J. Smith Jr. that Cunningham did not grasp the levity of these threats and did not plan on carrying them out. Deivanayagam said Cunningham was more or less "blowing off some steam." Also in the article, Cunningham apologized to Judge Smith and said, "I just don't have a lot of tact in dealing with police enforcement." Cunningham wrapped up his court statement by saying he wanted to see the elephants at the zoo in Tyler. According to Baylor Lariat archives, Cunningham was kneed in the head during a scrimmage against the University of Texas in 1995. Cunningham suffered a concussion, a broken nose and a skull fracture. He mi…
creator: Anita Pere
date: 2008-02-04
contributor: Kacey Beddoes
rights: Julie Freeman (Julie_Freeman@baylor.edu)
language: eng

Va. Tech Shooting: Privacy Laws Are Inhibiting Gun Control Legislation
description: Ann Clemmons May 03, 2007 Cho Seung-Hui a tormented young man, already exhibiting crazed behavior, ignored the advice of a teacher, slipped through a mental health care facility, conned campus police, and bought two firearms. Teachers, students, and law enforcement personnel were not able to prevent this tragic event. It seems many people, agencies, and family members were aware of the fact that Cho Seung was "troubled" however, due to the so-called protection of privacy laws; they were unable to help him. Privacy laws are inhibiting gun control legislation. There is now a bill before congress promoting states to report mental health records to the national database used to conduct background checks on people buying guns. Already federal law prohibits anyone involuntarily admitted as a "mental defective" from purchasing a firearm. However, only twenty-two states provide mental health records to the National Criminal Background Check System. At present, the National Criminal Background Check System, screens people before they can purchase a firearm. However, if states are not required to push mental health care facilities to provide mental health records, for all persons including voluntary commitments, what good is the law doing anyone? This problem has been going on for years, and gun control advocates, special interest groups, and law enforcement officials have been trying to shed light on the this unpredictable reporting. However, the biggest obstacle has been the privacy law in relation to mental health care records. Evidently, if you are voluntarily committed to a mental health care facility, privacy laws prohibit the facility from reporting your time there. If Virginia, had required mental health care facilities, to report voluntary records to the National Criminal Background Check, the people who died that day at Va. Tech., would still be alive. Cho Seung-Hui would not have been able to purchase the two firearms that killed thirty-three people, including him.…
creator: Ann Clemmons
date: 2007-06-05
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
language: eng

On the Ethics of Bad News
description: [This is a copy of my initial reaction to the media coverage of the VTech shooting, posted on my Wordpress blog. Unfortunately both links are now defunct - I wish I had saved a page of the "godblessvtech" blog, because it was to me a poignant illustration of the possibilities of the Internet for creating and reaffirming community. At the same time, however, I was disgusted by CNN's use of digital media - particularly video - to create what I saw as a voyeuristic experience of the event.] "On the Ethics of Bad News" Posted April 16, 2007 http://zozer319.wordpress.com/ I didn't really hear about this until late tonight, partly because all the people working out around me at the gym with TVs had them on stupid MTV the whole time. Anyway, I just wanted to share with you all two remarkable (for very different reasons) things I found online when doing a search for some overview of the shooting. I send them in particular because they are both temporary postings but say an awful lot: First, a striking example of a good use of the Internet, not only to share information but as a sense of non-physical community. I found this blog (probably just set up today, for this purpose only, so not actually a blog per se) on Wordpress - it's just a list of names and people asking for information on whether the individuals listed are okay. http://godblessvtech.wordpress.com/2007/04/16/hello-world/ Scroll down to read the progression of the information gathering and messages left. Also note the amount of information gleaned from Facebook. Second, a striking example of outright voyeurism disguised as comprehensive journalistic coverage. In browsing CNN's coverage of the story, I was disgusted by the amount of video - not of interviews and re-runs of news stories, but the amount of direct footage of the shootings/events themselves; http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/16/vtech.shooting/index.html There is no clear line between information and too much information, but that might be close. Thank go…
creator: Anna Brawley
date: 2007-05-23
contributor: Anna Brawley
language: eng

Asians fear alienation, scrutiny
description: By: Anna Lieth Posted: 4/20/07 Days after the Virginia Tech shooter was identified as a Korean-American male by national media outlets, members of Duke's Asian Students Association gathered Thursday night to discuss the possible backlashes the Asian-American community may endure as a result of the gunman's actions. During the discussion, which was sponsored by Counseling and Psychological Services and ASA, students addressed concerns about how aspects of Asian-American culture may intensify frustrations and pressures with which many students struggle on a daily basis. Senior Kevin Fang, outgoing president of ASA, said the event was intended to give students on campus "an opportunity to process all that is going on." "A lot of Korean students at Virginia Tech have gone home," he said. "Although they know that the shooting had nothing to do with race, they feel that there might be some repercussions." The six students present also discussed the national media's coverage of the incident, questioning their decision to identify the race of Cho Seung-Hui, the shooter, and debating the relevance of this information in attempting to understand the motive for his actions. They discussed whether or not the shooter's actions could be explained through his cultural and social identity, and talked about how situations like the one Cho faced can be prevented. Some students shared experiences about other Asian-American students they knew who experienced pressures and feelings of cultural disconnect which led them to lives of isolation and depression. Gary Glass, senior coordinator for outreach and developmental programming for CAPS, said his objective in helping to organize the discussion was to "provide an arena for things to get voiced that aren't often voiced-at least not in any formal capacity." He added that he saw a variety of reactions expressed during the discussion. "If there are voices that if they were more heard would further enrich the campus, then let's create a spac…
creator: Anna Lieth
publisher: Duke Chronicle
date: 2007-06-24
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: David Graham <david.graham@duke.edu>
language: eng

32 killed in Virginia Tech massacre
description: 200 miles away, Duke students hold vigil, admins offer support By: Anna Lieth Posted: 4/17/07 After violent shootings shook students and administrators on Virginia Tech's campus Monday, members of the Duke community gathered last night to mourn and come to terms with the tragic events of the day. Just 200 miles southeast of Virginia Tech's home in Blacksburg, Va., Duke students said the news sent a shock wave through the campus. For some, the shock was followed by fear for friends and loved ones in Virginia, but for others fear was displaced by disbelief and worry that a similar event could take place at the campus they call home. And for one group of students, the natural response to the news was to pray. About 30 students gathered on the steps of the Duke Chapel for an emotional vigil and prayer session for the victims of the shooting, their respective families and the gunman Monday night. "[The vigil is] not just to console people, but also to know that there is a community that is here to support people and that as a community we need to act together," said sophomore Ashley Dunfee, who attended the event. "We have a root that we act from and that ultimately should be the source of what we do and where we're going." President Richard Brodhead, in a statement released to The Chronicle, recognized the magnitude of the events at Virginia Tech and emphasized efforts the University is making to reach out to members of both the Virginia Tech and Duke communities who were affected by the tragedy. "This is the deadliest campus shooting in United States history and a profoundly sad day for everyone directly affected-and the nation as a whole," Brodhead said. "On behalf of the entire Duke community, I express my condolences to those who are grieving at Virginia Tech. They are enduring a time of unspeakable loss this evening." John Burness, senior vice president for government affairs and public relations, said Brodhead also reached out following news of the event to Charle…
creator: Anna Lieth
publisher: Duke Chronicle
date: 2007-06-24
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: David Graham <david.graham@duke.edu>
language: eng

In Memory of the Fallen
description: Artist's Comments To all of the fallen at Virginia Tech, rest in peace. Taken at Michigan State University's candlelight vigil for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre last week. -- Photo taken Wednesday, April 18. Provided courtesy of Anne Johanna Strasko. Original Source: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53942334/ Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5.
creator: Anne Johanna Strasko
date: 2007-06-02
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Permission Contact: Anne Johanna Strasko (straskoa@msu.edu) Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0
language: eng

Students to relay a message of hope
description: By Annie Augustine Friday, April 20, 2007 This weekend, 35 cancer survivors will join nearly 1,000 UCLA students and community members for a 24-hour relay to raise money for the disease. UCLA's Relay For Life is planned to take place in Drake Stadium from Saturday at 1 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Ninety-six teams have signed up, and participants will include UCLA students, students from L.A. high schools and Westwood community members. At UCLA's Relay For Life, the survivors who are attending will walk or run alongside participants. Brittany Maxwell, the mission delivery director for UCLA's Relay For Life, said the relay's opening ceremony will encourage and motivate participants. "A cancer survivor is planning to speak before the relay begins and survivors will walk the first lap around the stadium while all other participants stand inside the track to cheer them on," she said Eric Lam, a first-year mechanical engineering student who started Relay For Life at his high school and is the captain of two UCLA teams this year, said being involved in Relay For Life is a fun way to help a good cause. "At the ceremony you get to meet survivors and it is inspirational to watch them take the first lap," he said. Teams will spend the entire night in Drake Stadium with the goal of keeping one person from each team on the track at all times. The American Cancer Society's annual Relay For Life began because of the efforts of one man. According to the Relay For Life Web site, Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash., wanted to increase the income of his local American Cancer Society office. In May of 1985, Klatt spent 24 hours circling a track at the University of Puget Sound, covering more than 83 miles and raising nearly $27,000. The following year, 19 teams took part in the first Relay For Life event and raised nearly $33,000. Now more than 3.5 million people partake in 4,800 Relay For Life events nationwide each year, and in 2006, the UCLA Relay For Life raised over…
creator: Annie Augustine
publisher: The Daily Bruin
date: 2007-07-15
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: Saba Riazati <editor@media.ucla.edu>
language: eng

A call for community
description: By Anonymous The shooting at Virginia Tech serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of a strong campus community, one in which people know and look out for each other. In the wake of this event, it is important that we make sure that all students feel comfortable in our campus community. This opportunity should be seized to reflect on how to foster a greater sense of community, especially in upperclass dorms. There seems to be a presumption that, once out of their residential colleges, upperclassmen are sufficiently acclimatized to college life. While colleges provide students with RCAs who organize study breaks and generally foster a sense of commnity within dorms, upperclassmen are left to their own devices. Though eating clubs provide some measure of support for upperclassmen, nothing exists to promote socialization in upperclass dorms or among the many students who do not choose to join clubs or remain in the residential colleges. Independent work, which puts increased pressure on upperclassmen and often requires them to spend significant time alone, means that community feeling outside of eating clubs often suffers. Some students go through an entire year without meeting all their neighbors. Though social dynamics among students is, in the end, the result of our own behavior, there is room for the administration to provide a helping hand. While the University provides mental health services for those in need, having intermediaries step, similar to RCAs, would greatly stimulate social interactions in upperclass dorms and encourage students with psychological issues not to isolate themselves. This could easily be achieved by expanding the mission — and budget — of dormitory assistants, whose current responsibilities are focused on questions of maintenance and living conditions. These measures are not intended to prevent tragic instances such as those at Virginia Tech. They would, however, encourage interaction in upperclass dorms and foster a greater sen…
creator: Anonoymous
publisher: Daily Princetonian
date: 2007-06-22
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: Kavita Saini <ksaini@Princeton.EDU>
language: eng

Editorial: Absolute campus security impossible, but UM moving in right direction
description: By:Anonymous Issue date: 4/20/07 As reality sets in after the shock of Monday's terrible shooting at Virginia Tech, another issue has already come up, which we all would do good to address immediately. The issue, of course, is campus security. One can debate for hours whether or not Va. Tech's administration did enough to protect the students that fateful morning, but there is no question students should be protected. College campuses are like their own little world-they are microcosms that, quite simply, operate on their own plane. University students and faculty operate on their own schedules, through their own methods, based on their own values and with their own sets of characters, players, movers and shakers. Considering this, it is easy to forget that college campuses are not actually physically removed from the world and, as such, are at least as vulnerable to the dangers, sorrow and violence that go with it (perhraps even more so, due to their open and accessible nature). Thus, a dilemma: Adding too much security, or restricting movement, would eliminate the openness and warmth of campus grounds, severely detracting from the atmosphere and choking the general freedoms the university environment is supposed to facilitate. At the same time, it was this very openness that helped enable Cho Seung-Hui to not only kill 32 students, and eventually himself, but also to have the time to mail one final message to NBC in between the two shootings. Unfortunately, as much as is done to bolster security, one must come to the realization that there will always be people driven over the edge and this type of crime is, realistically, unpreventable. As long as firearms exist, so will disturbed people who will want to and be able to use them in terrible ways. However, it is possible to minimize the damage caused by these types of shootings in many ways. Thankfully, the university has taken all the necessary steps at this time to reevaluate and update their security plans. One …
creator: Anonymous
publisher: The Miami Hurricane
date: 2007-08-09
contributor: Sara Hood
rights: Greg Linch <greglinch@gmail.com>
language: eng