MEADOR: Virginia Tech shootings show need for humanity
By: Jake Meador / Freshman English major Posted: 4/30/07 When I first sat down to write my column after the massacre at Virginia Tech on April 16, my thoughts were two-fold: First, to write a column advocating stricter gun control. Second, to write a column praising the selfless heroism of Leviu Lebrescu and Waleed Muhammad Shaalan. I did the latter, but I've since decided not to do the former. Gun control is such a divisive issue; the last thing we need right now is further division between people. Today is a day for reconciliation, not debate. Besides, if 33 dead bodies, including the gunman's, won't change your mind (one way or the other), then 850 words probably won't either. But as I browsed the Internet reading stories of the awful event, sometimes wondering what sick curiosity drives us to such exploration, I stumbled across a link with pictures and a brief bio for each victim. Many of the pictures were highly pixilated - a sad reminder that they were never intended for such use. And at that moment I realized I, and many others, have forgotten to talk about the most important lesson to come from Virginia Tech. And it has nothing to do with gun control or stricter campus security policies. Among those killed were husbands and fiancés, wives and mothers, fathers and sons, daughters and sisters, Muslims, Jews, Christians and Hindus. One was a resident assistant who was in the marching band. Another was trying to find a cure for cerebral palsy. Still another had started a sorority for female engineering students. Another was in the dance ensemble. I'm listing all these things for two reasons. Each individual was unique and had diverse interests and a never-before-seen personality. And when these individuals died, it wasn't just another tally on Cho Seung-Hui's killing spree; it wasn't a nameless number. It was the loss of a unique human being that God created and knew intimately. We've heard the number over and over, "32 dead," but we haven't heard about them as individuals, and if we keep repeating the number, it's easy for us to forget that there are 32 families in mourning, as well as countless friends and others who were touched by these individuals. There is another reason I listed all those individual traits. Despite their differences in interests, age, ethnicity, political beliefs, gender and religion, they shared a common humanity (something also shared between the victims and Seung-Hui, incidentally.). Sadly, in the wake of this tragedy, many of us have spent more time discussing those differences than the commonality. We've spent lots of time debating gun control, religion, university security policies, etc. And, of course, we need to talk about all of those issues. You might be like me and think stricter gun control is needed; you might be like many of my friends and think this event is the greatest argument possible for carrying concealed weapons. You might be like me and think the only final solution to this event is through some sort of metaphysical belief that transcends debate about public policy. I spoke with a Buddhist monk on the day of the shooting, and he was convinced the problem is one of ignorance. I'm convinced it's the problem of a sinful human heart, and all the knowledge in the world can't change that - only Jesus can. You might be like me and think tighter security measures might be a good idea, but you have no idea how they'd be implemented. Or perhaps you think they're important enough that significant sacrifices in student freedoms are necessary to ensure our safety. I say all of that because these conversations are important. Having strong opinions is not a bad thing, but you have to know how to express them. So often as we have these conversations we lose sight of the fact that, ultimately, we're all human, and even if someone disagrees with you, he or she is not your enemy. If you're a Democrat, Republicans are not the enemy; if you're Christian, atheists are not the enemy. Because of the intensity of the events at Virginia Tech and the topics being discussed, it's easy to develop the idea that people with differing ideas are hindrances to progress - if they'd just believe like me, maybe we'd get somewhere. But it's never that simple, and even if it were, arrogance gets us nowhere. So listen, learn, respect - and love every moment of it. To quote the late Kurt Vonnegut, "Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies - God damn it, you've got to be kind." I've got about 100 words left this year, but rather than waste them on further elaboration, I thought it'd be appropriate to print the names of the 32 victims. As you read, remember each of these people had friends, family, hopes and dreams, just like you. And right now those dreams have gone to the grave with them, and their friends and families are still mourning two weeks later. Even if some of us have already forgotten: Ryan Clark, 22. Emily Jane Hilscher, 19. Christopher James Bishop, 35. Daniel Perez Cueva, 21. G.V. Loganathan, 51. Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20. Mary Karen Read, 19. Caitlin Hammaren, 19. Kevin Granata, 46. Liviu Librescu, 76. Brian Bluhm, 25. Austin Cloyd, 18. Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, 49. Matthew Gregory Gwaltney, 24. Jeremy Herbstritt, 27. Rachel Elizabeth Hill, 18. Jarrett Lane, 22. Matt La Porte, 20. Henry Lee (Henh Ly), 20. Partahi Lumbantoruan, 34. Lauren McCain, 20. Daniel O'Neil, 22. Juan Ortiz, 26. Minal Panchal, 26. Erin Peterson, 18. Michael Pohle, 23. Julia Pryde, 23. Reema Samaha, 18. Waleed Mohammed Shaalan, 32. Leslie Sherman, 20. Maxine Turner, 22. Nicole White, 20. -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 30, 2007
Josh Swartzlander <jdwriter19@yahoo.com>
Korean's at UNL don't foresee backlash after Virginia Tech shootings
By: Adam Templeton Posted: 4/26/07 The recent shootings at Virginia Tech have caused many to worry about a backlash against South Korean students. However, Korean students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say acts of discrimination have not occurred. And they hope it stays that way. "It hasn't been a problem," said Min Suk Shin, a business management graduate student and a member of the Korean Student Association. "Maybe in larger cities with larger Korean communities, but not here." Other students feel the actions of Cho Seung-Hui, a student from South Korea who committed the shootings, should not represent the South Korean community or the country itself. They also agree that Seung-Hui was unstable and burdened with psychological issues. "The first time I heard the news, it was surreal, that he was a South Korean-born student," said Sung Tae Kim, who is also a management graduate student and KSA member. "I felt some sort of connection," he said. "But, nothing's really connected; he had a personal problem." Shin said he felt a connection to the Virginia Tech tragedy "as a human being, a college student and as a Korean" but said Seung-Hui is not and should not become a symbol for the Korean community. Although there has been no reaction against South Korean students at the university, some were worried that the announcement of Seung-Hui's ethnicity could lead to violence. Shin said he became worried when he heard that Seung-Hui was born in South Korea because he felt it could lead to violence."I hope that doesn't happen," he said. Still, students remain confident that acceptance will prevail over ignorance. "I'm sure many people in Lincoln don't connect him (Seung-Hui) to the whole of the Korean people," Kim said. "I don't feel some serious problem will happen in the community or to any individuals." Some students were concerned some people would not differentiate between North and South Koreans, associating all Koreans with President George W. Bush's "Axis of Evil." However, that sort of thinking does not appear widespread, they said. "That sort of ignorance may be there at the junior high or high school level, but it rarely happens in college," Shin said. -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 26, 2007
Church continues to carry on without pastor
By: Ryan Norman Posted: 4/25/07 Events such as the Virginia Tech shooting can be hard on some students. Besides psychological services, students seeking counseling can also find help at campus ministries. Cornerstone Church at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, however, is having more trouble providing this service. The former campus pastor of the church, Melissa Finlaw Draper, became the pastor at Northeast United Church of Christ earlier this semester. This left Cornerstone without an on-site pastor, said Lew Kaye-Skinner, an English lecturer as well as faculty adviser and chair of the ministry board for Cornerstone-United Ministries in Higher Education. "The current absence of a pastor on staff has meant that we have not been able to respond as quickly as might otherwise happen to issues such as the Virginia Tech massacre," Kaye-Skinner wrote in an e-mail interview. Kaye-Skinner said the mission of Cornerstone is to bring the message of God to campus and respond to the needs of students. Because Cornerstone currently doesn't have a pastor, volunteers have been providing these services. "Volunteers have had to fill in," Kaye-Skinner wrote. "For instance, we have had to supply pastors for the Sunday evening worship services at Cornerstone since the first of February." Worship services haven't been the problem, said Jessica Lauer, a senior philosophy and religious studies major and intern at Cornerstone Church. It's the services not on Sundays, such as prayer groups and bible studies, that have suffered. "These events are always a time of great fellowship and fun for students, and we haven't been able to do much of that," Lauer said. Kaye-Skinner said the search for a pastor is progressing but isn't moving quite as quickly as he would like. "It has been very difficult finding qualified applicants for the position," Kaye-Skinner wrote. Cornerstone has been struggling with low attendance this year, and it hasn't been easy to improve campus involvement without a pastor, Lauer said. Despite the setbacks, Lauer said she is confident the church will rebound in the upcoming years. "I am sad that I am graduating and will miss the opportunity to meet the new chaplain and see the wonderful things that are in store for Cornerstone," Lauer said. -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 25, 2007
MEADOR: Heroes arise out of tragic events at Virginia Tech
By: Jake Meador / Freshman English major Posted: 4/25/07 The heroes of the Protestant Reformation had an old saying that man is simultaneously both saint and sinner, and the truth of this statement is impossible to argue. In the 20th century alone there lived people as awful as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin and as wonderful as Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. The irony of the saying is that it's often when the sinners are at their worst that we get the clearest picture of the saints. The lives of great men and women become most beautiful when confronted with great tragedy. Mother Teresa would be an unknown if it weren't for the horrors of poverty, the oppressive caste system and the ruins of India left behind by British imperialism. Likewise, King would be long forgotten if it weren't for the horrors of racism and segregation. We saw one more example of this truth last week in the tragedy at Virginia Tech. By now everyone has heard the name Cho Seung-Hui, and we should call him by his name, not by some title we make up to avoid the harsh reality that a human being committed this crime. We've heard of how the 23-year-old senior English major killed 32 individuals and then himself in the worst school shooting in U.S. history. Some have even seen the disturbing video he made prior to the massacre. We've heard about his dark, sad life that ended so violently. But few have told the story of another man involved in the tragedy. 76-year-old engineering professor Liviu Librescu was one of the 32 to be killed by Seung-Hui. But if it weren't for a courageous act of sacrifice on Librescu's part, there may have been more casualties. Librescu was teaching a class in Norris Hall when gunshots were first heard in a distant corner of the building. Students in the classroom initially hid, but as the sound came closer and closer, Librescu instructed students to flee through the window. He then, in the ultimate act of sacrifice, braced the door with his own body, being shot through the door several times as his students escaped. When police entered the room, they found the professor dead by the door with five bullet wounds. Additionally, 32-year-old Egyptian doctorate student Waleed Muhammad Shaalan, who had been shot once already, distracted Seung-Hui long enough to allow several other students to escape. Seung-Hui reminds us of all that is broken in our world: the fractured relationships, the alienation so many of us feel, the violence we often witness and the self-centeredness that so often characterizes us. Librescu and Shaalan, on the other hand, are a heroic reminder of all that is good in life and all that is a cause for hope. And Librescu didn't just become that with his act of sacrifice. His whole life was characterized by bravery, generosity and love. Born in 1930 in Romania, he lived through the Holocaust as an adolescent. Despite such difficulties, he excelled in school, studying aerospace engineering and becoming one of the finest engineering students in Romania. He earned his doctorate degree in the late 1950s and then taught various engineering courses for 20 years before losing his job in the 1970s due to his opposition to the ruling Communist party. Thanks to the intercession of the Israeli government, he was allowed to leave the country, and he moved to Tel Aviv, Israel, to teach at the university there for several years. After Tel Aviv, he moved to the United States to teach at Virginia Tech, which he had done since 1986. Throughout his career at Virginia Tech, he was known for being one of the finest researchers in the world, as well as a great man. As one colleague put it, "He was a very pleasant, jolly fellow who enjoyed joking around a little with the staff. An everyone's-friend sort of guy." One student said he treated all of his students like his own children. So it isn't surprising that last week when the lives of his students were threatened, Librescu did what a father would do in such a situation. He sacrificed his own safety to protect the lives of his students, and for that Librescu is a hero. And it's important we remember that during these dark days following such a tragic event. There's no shortage of darkness in our world, and consequently there's no shortage of negativity and cynicism. But Librescu's example reminds us that ultimately love triumphs over all these things. There is something about human beings that cannot be kept down by hatred, violence or oppression, and Librescu's life is the perfect portrait of that something: narrowly escaping a young death at the hands of Hitler, resisting an oppressive Communist regime in his home country and ultimately giving up his own life in order to save others. So as we reflect on the tragedy at Virginia Tech and have conversations about how to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again (and we need to have those conversations: We need to talk about gun control and loving the hard-to-love and additional safety measures to protect students), we also must remember Librescu's heroic sacrifice. It is because of his selfless act that today 20-30 students are still alive and 20-30 families aren't burying their sons or daughters. -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 25, 2007
UNL has no plans to re-examine its gun policy
By: Chris Rosacker Posted: 4/24/07 In light of the Virginia Tech shootings, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 1992 failed campus shooting and Friday's bomb scare at UNL's Othmer Hall, some people are calling for a re-evaluation of the university's security policies. Aaron Brown, a graduate student in the College of Law, exchanged several e-mails with UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman on the subject of the ban of firearms on campus. Brown wrote in his e-mails last week that he wants UNL to change its policy on concealed weapons. Although the state of Nebraska has passed a concealed weapons law, UNL does not permit its students to carry weapons - concealed or on display - on both UNL campuses. Earlier this semester, signs were posted around campus reminding visitors and students, faculty and staff members of the no-guns policy. But not everyone agrees with the ban, especially after the tragedy at Virginia Tech. "Unless you are willing to assure me that you or someone else will be there to protect me, let me take a gun to school," wrote Brown in an e-mail Perlman. Brown forwarded the e-mails to the Daily Nebraskan. He referenced an instance on Jan. 16, 2002, at the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Va., where a failing student shot and killed three people and wounded three others before being subdued by armed fellow students. The 42-year-old Nigerian student, Peter Odighizuwa, dropped his .380 ACP semi-automatic handgun when Tracy Bridges and Mikael Gross, both students, approached him in front of the building he was exiting after the shooting; Gross was armed. With the help of two unarmed students who tackled and handcuffed Odighizuwa, the rampage was brought to an end. Many Second Amendment proponents pushing for the legalization of concealed weapons have used that incident as an example of a situation where concealed handguns could be beneficial. Brown wrote that allowing students to carry concealed weapons could prevent something like the Virginia Tech shootings from happening at UNL. "Thank you for your suggestion," Perlman replied to Brown. "However, I respectfully disagree with your proposal. Nor do I think there is any anecdotal or empirical evidence that suggests that widespread possession of firearms reduces the risks of events like Virginia Tech or reduces the overall level of violence in our society. "We intend to stay with our 'no guns on campus' policy." Perlman was unavailable for comment over the weekend and on Monday. Juan Franco, the vice chancellor for student affairs at UNL, said that to his knowledge, the university would not be re-examining its gun policy. "We feel very strongly that we do not want guns on campus," Franco said. "I don't think we're going to budge on that." Brown said that it was "insulting" that Perlman disavowed knowledge of studies and anecdotal evidence supporting a reduction in crime when citizens lawfully carry concealed weapons - especially when many states have passed legislation allowing people to carry concealed weapons. Owen Yardley, the chief of University Police, said allowing students to carry firearms would make his force's job "much more difficult," and he is opposed to such an action. "My concerns would be in a university environment where there is a (large) amount of alcohol consumption; mixing alcohol and firearms is a bad idea in any instance," Yardley said. "From my perspective, I would rather have people call us in a situation that is escalating than have them deal with it (themselves) and escalate the situation further." But Brown said he would "bet the farm" that the UNL administration wouldn't be able to come up with a better alternative to protect students from shootings. And with no better alternative, the administration will do nothing but hope no incidents occur at UNL. "It boils down to protect me or let me protect myself," Brown said. "They can't say they won't protect us and that we can't protect ourselves." But the administration stands firm on its anti-firearms policy. "We just feel the campus is safer without guns," Franco said. -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 24, 2007
Othmer bomb threat perpetrator still unknown
By: Andy Boyle Posted: 4/23/07 An unknown man called in a false bomb threat to Othmer Hall around noon Friday. The engineering building was closed for about two hours to students, faculty and staff members while authorities searched for explosives. Kelly Bartling, a spokeswoman for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said on Friday a man called Dean of Engineering David Allen's office and told an assistant, "I planted a bomb in the building, you bitch." The secretary called University Police, who advised her to leave the building and pull the fire alarm. Garret Schram, a junior civil engineering major, was in the building "30 seconds after the call." People were crowded around a desk talking quietly, he said. Schram was in the office getting lunch tickets for an E-week event that college was hosting. E-week is an annual celebration put on by the engineering college. Schram then ran out of the building with everyone else. The college's E-week included an open house meant for recruiting, displaying presentations, checking out labs and meeting with businesses that came for recruitment, said Joey Schaefer, a junior mechanical engineering major. At a press conference Friday, UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said the bomb threat wasn't real and other campuses across the country have had similar threats over the week. "Unfortunately, these are to be expected when we had a major event like we had at Virginia Tech," he said. Othmer Hall contains the Biological Process Development Facility, which researches vaccines for biological warfare agents, according to the facility's Web site, www.bpdf.unl.edu. John Ballard, the associate dean of the engineering college, said he didn't know if there was a hazard involved because of the facility's research in biological warfare. Othmer Hall was the first building evacuated, said University Police Chief Owen Yardley. Connecting buildings Nebraska Hall and the Walter Scott Engineering Center were evacuated about 20 minutes later. The last previous bomb threat called in to the university occurred in late September when a man approached a group of sorority members at the parking garage at 17th and R and claimed to have a bomb. Yardley couldn't comment on how the search of Othmer was conducted. He also would not confirm that the caller was a man. Earlier, Bartling told the Daily Nebraskan the caller was a man. "We know it was a phone call that was received by somebody in the department," Yardley said. Police procedure is to attempt traces on the phone call and investigate who is involved, Yardley said. He said a bomb threat is be a felony charge. Perlman said if a student were involved, he would like them to be punished as seriously as the university allows. "I would hope that the campus community would take this seriously," he said, "and if anybody hears or sees anything that would help in this investigation, they would notify campus police or Crime Stoppers or provide us with information." University Police can be reached at 472-3555. The Crime Stoppers' phone number is 475-3600. -Daily Nebraskan senior reporter Johnny Perez contributed to this story -- Original Source: Daily Nebraskan - April 23, 2007
Guest Editorial: Stricter gun-control laws will only lead to more danger
By: David Smith / Junior horticulture major Posted: 4/23/07 Naturally, with the recent atrocity that occurred in Virginia at a college campus not unlike ours, there has been talk of tighter gun control and even outright bans to stop such incidents in the future. Do we not have enough failing gun laws already on the books? I would like to thank Sarah Brady, Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi and others of their ilk for giving us "gun-free school zones." Of course, I am being sarcastic, hoping that somebody out there will see the problem here and begin to think rationally. This did not happen because of a gun. More gun laws would not have changed the outcome. We need to stop passing feel-good legislation that only disarms lawful citizens who could be able to defend themselves and save others should one of these criminals attack them. Why make an estimated 60 million to 80 million law-abiding gun owners pay for this tragedy rather than hold the shooter accountable? I'll try to put this in terms that gun-control advocates will understand. Every man in the world who possesses a penis has the potential to rape someone. However, most choose not to do so. No politician would try to introduce legislation to ban the said body part, and so, I ask, why is it any different with firearms? There are literally millions of rounds fired legally for every one round fired criminally. Currently, there are 48 states that allow their citizens to carry concealed weapons in some form, and Nebraska was recently added to that list. One would think there would be bullets flying everywhere in these states from these permit holders - but that just is not the case. I believe students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who have a valid concealed-carry permit should be allowed to use that permit on campus if they so desire. Had someone been at Virginia Tech last week with a concealed firearm, I am confident the gunman would not have been able to murder so many people. Because the doors to the hall were chained shut, the police were unable to get in. The only way the rampage could have been stopped is if someone in the room would have had sufficient means to fight the gunman. This is why I believe students with a valid permit should be able to carry on campus. Under Nebraskan law, you must be at least 21 years old to obtain a concealed-carry permit. For this reason, only upperclassmen would be allowed to carry concealed firearms. People should also know that the process of obtaining a concealed-carry permit, similar to most states, is far from easy or cheap. Many states charge about $100 for the permit alone. Then, one must also pay the instructor of the safety course another $50 to $100. After one has paid for the permit and the safety training, the state then does an extensive background check of the individual, which takes months in many states. By the nature of the issuing process, only the most mentally stable and oldest of the university population would even be allowed to carry. It seems that every day Americans are becoming helpless, socialist sheep to a greater extent. When there was a mass shooting at Virginia Tech, we threw the blame on GLOCK and the university for not canceling classes sooner. When Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, we blamed the Federal Emergency Management Agency for not doing enough. When are people going to wake up and take responsibility for themselves and their own safety? No university, police force or government agency can be there all the time to save everybody when a tragedy of even the smallest magnitude strikes. Our increasing lack of personal responsibility and situational awareness, as well as our attitude of pacifism, only encourages these shootings. It seems gun violence has become a real problem in our country only in the last 50 years. Before that, high-school students would often leave their rifles in their cars during school so they could hunt afterwards. Why were there no mass murders then? That certainly was a much simpler time. That was a time when people were very politically incorrect by today's standards. A lot has changed for the better since then, but not everything. We all should step back and rethink what we call "progress." It is interesting to me that Hollywood, which is mostly left wing and hates guns, has no problem churning out film after film loaded with guns and violence. We are bombarded with violence every day, and, yet, when something such as the Virginia Tech shooting happens, we blame the gun. When people actually commit crimes, we slap them on the wrist and call them "rehabilitated." We need to stop blaming the inanimate piece of plastic and steel that is the gun, try to improve the constant bombardment of violence in our culture and turn our legal system into an actual justice system. If lawmakers continue only to concentrate on passing more gun-control legislation and do not allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons, all of their work will be in vain, and I am certain we will find ourselves in this position in the future. -- Original Source: Daily Nebraskan - April 23, 2007
WAITE: Shootings show a need for change in gun laws
By: Cyndi Waite / Junior film studies major Posted: 4/23/07 Guns kill people. People kill people. Guns help people kill people. It's an inevitable truth that firearms in the wrong hands lead to the deaths of innocent people. As a nation, as students, we witnessed and felt the tragic deaths of 33 individuals; Virginia Tech is a forever-changed campus, cloaked in confusion and fear, anger and resentment. Pointing fingers and placing blame does no good, but learning and moving forward in such a way that will prevent similar future tragedies is not only a good idea, but a necessary one. And in order to make positive, permanent, preventive change that will ensure not one more innocent life will be taken from mass shootings in our nation, we must address the issue of gun control. This is not a liberal or a conservative issue. It's not a rural or urban argument. This is a conversation among Americans who value their lives and their neighbors' lives. Gun control has become such a politically taboo subject that politicians, on both sides of the fence, avoid discussing it and refuse to make it a part of their campaigns for fear they will lose Midwestern, Southern, rural and many conservative voters. "Cries for stricter gun-control laws by some Democratic lawmakers following the Virginia Tech mass murders have been met with caution from their party leads," William Douglas wrote in his Fort Wayne News Sentinel article "Democrats unlikely to revisit gun-control legislation." "Other Democrats recommend steering clear of the issue because it could jeopardize their party's recent gains in pro-gun Southern and Western states," Douglas wrote. It's still unclear as to whether or not the Bush administration plans to officially address the issue; the Chicago Tribune quoted the administration as saying, "We understand that there is going to be, and there has been, an ongoing national conversation about gun control ... We are going to be participants." Whether those conversations happen in a few days or in a few weeks, they need to happen soon. Regardless of what our forefathers meant by "the right to bear arms" in the Second Amendment, we live in a society where legally bearing arms has proven to be lethal. Admittedly, only a few of the many who purchase and own guns use them in inappropriate ways, but when the few engage in destructive behavior that affects the masses, they have to give up some of their rights in order to protect all of society. Social contract theories have been around since Locke, Hobbes and Rousseau. When individuals have full autonomy, they argued, their choices are completely their own - whether those choices are negative or positive, and no matter how they affect others. In order to live in a society where we don't live in constant fear for our safety, we agree to give up some autonomy to provide social order. Relinquishing the right to own personal firearms to ensure the safety of the society at large seems like a pretty decent compromise. While a full ban on firearms may be outlandish and farfetched, stricter restrictions are not. Currently, gun owners have to go through a registration process that involves, among other things, submitting a record of one's mental health. These restrictions need to be stricter, enforced to higher standards and maintained better. Only 17 states send medical information in for full background checks, reported Michael Luo of The New York Times in his article "Gun control questions raised." Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Hui had a "stay in a psychiatric center under a magistrate's order" in 2005, the article reported. Virginia officials say that Seung-Hui was found to be legally eligible to purchase handguns, an immediate red flag about the inadequate gun-ownership registration policies that are currently in place. The Bush administration and other sources keep reiterating that it's "too soon" to have these gun-control arguments, that we need to "take a deep breath" for a while before we deal with these issues. It's not. And we can breathe while we make policy changes. Gun abuse is an issue far too serious to put on the back burner until the country calms down, until everyone heals. It's in this time of pain that we need to begin these conversations; that we need to pressure our representatives to consider changing their views. Thirty-three lives were taken on April 16. Are we going to wait around for another mass shooting before we consider changing our policies, or are we going to step up and speak out against gun-violence and demand change? I choose safety. I choose change. I hope you do, too.
Virginia Tech shooting a sign for contemplation and change
By: Posted: 4/23/07 Last week was one of tragedy as schools and universities across the United States faced the terror of threats of bombs and shootings on their campuses. The events of April 16 have brought the issues of gun control, freedom, mental health and emergency preparedness to the forefront of the news and our minds. But no one suffered more than the students, teachers, family and friends affected directly by the Virginia Tech shooting on April 16. For all of those with connections to Virginia Tech who are grieving from the tragedy, we'd like to express our sincere condolences. We'd also like to commend everyone who has given University of Nebraska-Lincoln students, faculty and staff members opportunities to contemplate. We've been impressed by the outpouring of compassion that occurred on the UNL campus in many forms: signs, cards and candlelight vigils. But Friday's events on the UNL campus put a damper upon the solemn nature of the week. Like dozens of other college campuses around the country, UNL endured its own copycat scenario on Friday, the anniversary of the Columbine shootings in Colorado. We can't fathom what would motivate a person to say a bomb was planted in the College of Engineering - or anywhere else for that matter. Early Friday afternoon, a man called the dean's office claiming he planted a bomb in the engineering college. Othmer and Nebraska halls and the Walter Scott Engineering Center were subsequently evacuated and closed while police searched the building. The terrorist threat led to the cancellation of the engineering college's recruitment day, for which some prospective UNL students traveled hundreds of miles to attend. It also fostered a sense of fear that had already emerged for some on campus who realized the Virginia Tech shootings could have happened anywhere, even here. Luckily, the threat was an empty one, as were the dozens of other threats that shut down college and high school campuses across the country last week. Not that the threats shouldn't be taken seriously. Virginia Tech encountered two bomb threats during the two weeks before the shooting. Police are still investigating to see if the threats and the shooting were related. Of course, no one wants to live in fear of a similar shooting. And no one should advocate restrictions on our freedoms and civil liberties like those invoked as the United States embarked on the war on terror. At the same time, we're all left asking what can be done to prevent this from happening again. Some are saying we need to strengthen our gun-control laws - or even more extreme, allow people to carry concealed weapons on campus for their own protection. According to an article published in The New York Times, Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Hui should never have been allowed to purchase guns. In 2005 he was declared a danger to himself and referred to psychiatric treatment, which according to federal law should have prohibited him from buying a firearm. But Virginia's background checks failed, and Cho fell through the cracks. To prevent gun-related tragedies of any magnitude in the future, our state government leaders need to ensure Nebraska's background checks are accurate and thorough, let alone invoking stricter gun-control laws. Gun-control laws would not be enough, however, in a culture that is so immersed in violence. It's on our prime time television and in our movies. Early investigations suggest Cho studied violence. And as his video released to NBC indicated, he glorified the Columbine High School shooters and considered himself a martyr. Politicians and lobbyists on both sides of the gun-control debate will use the Virginia Tech shooting to further their own interests. But our only true solution will be to cultivate an environment in which violence is no longer seen as the first answer to every problem, a sign of masculinity or an expression of power. Without that attitude change, what happened at Virginia Tech could happen anywhere. And we shouldn't have to live in fear. -- Original Source: Daily Nebraskan - April 23, 2007
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. Yardley couldn't comment on how the search of Othmer was conducted or what was used in it. He also would not confirm that the caller was a man. Earlier, Bartling told the Daily Nebraskan the caller was a man. "We know it was a phone call that was received by somebody in the department," Yardley said. Police procedure is to attempt traces on the phone call and investigate who is involved, Yardley said. He said the bomb threat would be a felony charge. Perlman said if a student were involved, he would like them to punished as seriously as the university allows. "I would hope that the campus community would take this seriously," he said, "and if anybody hears or sees anything that would help in this investigation, they would notify campus police or Crime Stoppers or provide us with information." University Police can be reached at 472-3555. The Crime Stoppers number is 475-3600. -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 20, 2007
By:Christopher Rodgers Posted: 4/19/07 Guns, when put in the right hands, can be a good thing This mass murder at Virginia Tech is a perfect example of how important an armed populace can be. Before you fly off the cuff, I am not promoting giving every child in America a gun. Well-trained, thoroughly background checked, responsible adults with concealed weapons can prevent a lot of damage. If this guy in Virginia had met with some well-armed resistance would he have killed 32 (at the moment, at the time of this writing there are some people still in critical condition) people? Remember also that a majority of guns used in crimes are illegal, so regulating legal guns to law-abiding citizens will do nothing to stop these crimes. Adolf Hitler is quoted as saying, "This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future." Proponents of gun control favor taking guns from citizens because they fear an informed and armed populace; Hitler is a perfect example of this. Before he started his "changes" in Germany, he made sure that no one had the ability to stop him by insuring that the only legal guns were in the hands of the military. Guns are not inherently bad. When used responsibly, they are a tool that can help a lot of people. How many could they have helped at Virginia Tech? Christopher Rodgers Junior computer science and math major -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 19, 2007
Vigil commemorates Virginia Tech tragedy
By: Marypat Heineman Posted: 4/19/07 Nebraska Union Plaza was silent for a few moments Wednesday night as hundreds gathered in solemn remembrance. The candlelight vigil was organized in honor of the tragic Monday shootings at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. Chancellor Harvey Perlman, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Juan Franco, ASUN President Dave Solheim and Bill Velander, chairman of the chemical and biomolecular engineering department, addressed the large group that filled the entire space between Broyhill Fountain and the Nebraska Union. Even after the candles were out and the speeches were complete, many students remained in the plaza consoling each other, signing a card for students at Virginia Tech and forming prayer circles. The card will be in the Nebraska Union for the rest of the week and will be shipped to Virginia Tech along with cards from hundreds of other campuses around the United States. For many present, the gathering was a chance to show support for those affected by the murders, as well as a way to cope with the reality of such a shocking event on a college campus, Solheim said. "(This tragedy) means a lot to this campus and to Virginia Tech," he said. "The purpose of this evening is remembrance, so people can cope and support their friends and show support to those affected by the incident." Many students attended the candlelit event, but Solheim said he knows that many other students at UNL are coping with the images of the shootings in their own private way. For Velander, the tragedy has very personal connections. A former faculty member at Virginia Tech, Velander has many friends and colleagues still in Blacksburg. His daughter is attending medical school at Virginia Tech. "It's a great place, just idyllic," he said. "That's what's so frightening. If it can happen to such an idyllic, golden, amazing place, it can happen anywhere." Although the event touched him personally, taking the lives of two of his colleagues, he stressed that people, especially students, all over the country should take note of the tragic event. "Anybody that has a father or a mother or a sister or a brother is affected by this, because these are the kinds of people who died," he said. "That's so many broken hearts. That's hundreds of broken hearts." Vigils like these are positive experiences in the wake of such a dark moment in history, he said. The events may be tragic, but the number of people willing to show support gives Velander hope that this generation is willing to make positive change. "If there's anything positive that can come out of this, it's that young people can see such a tragedy, recognize the problem and work within society and solve it," he said. "There's a heavy burden on students who have witnessed this either through the news or in Blacksburg. We have to realize when someone is down and work until they're up again. We can't let things like this happen." -- Original source:Daily Nebraskan - April 29, 2007
Faculty trained to refer students of concern to CAPS
By: Johnny Perez Posted: 4/18/07 As the campus of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute awoke to a changed world this morning, new developments emerged about the alleged gunman whose shooting spree claimed 33 lives, including his own. His name was Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old senior at Virginia Tech who was majoring in English. And according to Carolyn Rude, the chairwoman of Virginia Tech's English department, some of Seung-Hui's schoolwork prompted officials to refer him to the university's counseling service - though the date and outcome of that action is not known. Though developments about Seung-Hui and his writing are only beginning to come to light, officials at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say procedures are already in place that allow staff members to alert Counseling and Psychological Services about any concerns they may have regarding individual students. UNL began taking a closer look at how it handled potentially troubled students, staff or faculty members in 1992, after Arthur McElroy, a former graduate student, walked into Ferguson Hall and attempted to open fire on his classmates with a semi-automatic rifle. The weapon jammed and McElroy was institutionalized. UNL administrators acknowledged the need to do a better job of talking to each other when what CAPS director Bob Portnoy calls "students of concern" are noticed. Portnoy, who has worked at UNL since 1991, said campus-wide efforts from the CAPS office, University Police and the vice chancellor for student affairs have improved lines of communication, but every year concerns appear on his desk about questionable students. "I can't think of a semester where that hasn't happened," he said. "I'm fairly confident we've gotten at least one call every semester." What typically occurs, Portnoy said, is that an instructor will call a CAPS representative with, say, a disturbing essay. The staff member will forward the piece of material that has caused concern and will share his or her thoughts while having it reviewed by a professional. At that point, Portnoy said, CAPS will work with the faculty member to see if he or she is confident enough to approach the student about the material. If the faculty member is "sufficiently frightened" by the idea of meeting the student alone, Portnoy said, CAPS will ask for a plainclothes police officer to stand by while the faculty member meets with a student - but this avenue is rarely utilized. "In most cases, what we recommend is that they share with the student their concerns ... and the issues they're writing about in this essay may go beyond the particular faculty member's area of expertise," he said. From there, the faculty member may choose to walk the student to the CAPS office, or give them referral information - but the office is prepared to handle emergency cases as well, Portnoy said. Joy Ritchie, the chairwoman of UNL's English department, said new faculty members in the department undergo training to deal with a variety of educational issues, including advice on how to respond to a student's writing when problematic issues arise. "One of the pieces of information they get is about the fact that we are not trained professional counselors, and so when we have concerns, we know that we need to refer students to the right professional people," she said. Student privacy is also essential, Ritchie said, and instructors are encouraged to consult with the chair and vice-chair of the department if they have any concerns. Ritchie said she could not remember specific instances of violence or depression that were addressed by faculty members but said University Police and CAPS had always been quick and responsive in dealing with any issues. "I think the university has a lot of systems in place to support students, and that's important," she said. "I never felt that those were inadequate." Portnoy said there was a fine line between seeing a threatening piece as a product of an active imagination or as a sign of a problem. Part of the training of mental health professionals, he said, is to understand the symbolic meaning of communication. "And we tend, at least in these sorts of cases whenever possible, to try and err on the side of conservatism," he said. "Active imaginations shouldn't be discouraged, but occasionally it is a cry for help or an expression of a destructive way of thinking ... we have to evaluate each case on an individual basis." In the end, Portnoy said, the university's efforts to spot students who could be threats to themselves or others are only another method of keeping campus safe - not a catchall system to keep Lincoln from becoming another Blacksburg, Va. "They're capable, but of course there's no absolute safeguard," he said. "It's hard to know how often we've been right." -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 18, 2007
ASUN to host Virginia Tech candlelight vigil
By: Chris Rosacker Posted: 4/18/07 Students will gather tonight in remembrance of the school shooting that shocked the nation on Monday. A candlelight vigil will be held tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the Nebraska Union Plaza to honor the victims and survivors of the Virginia Tech University shooting that took the lives of 33 people, including the gunman. The ceremony is being hosted by the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska at no charge to students. It is going to be open to anyone in the community, not just University of Nebraska-Lincoln students, staff and faculty members. "We won't be exclusive - anyone who wants to come and show support for Virginia Tech is more than welcome," said Greg Gifford, a human sciences graduate student and ASUN senator. "We'll have candles for everyone who comes." Speakers at the vigil will include ASUN president David Solheim and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan Franco. Will Velander, chairman of the chemical and biomolecular engineering department and a former faculty member at Virginia Tech, will also speak about the impact on the community of Blacksburg, Va., as well as Lincoln, Gifford said. "Students have to do what they think is the right way (to pay their respects), and we're providing one outlet in a simple and straightforward way," said Solheim, a senior economics major. "The idea is to provide a way to express how they (students) feel and connect with their peers in Blacksburg." Gifford said he expects about 200 people to attend the vigil, but didn't want to guess the magnitude of response the community could have. "We can point fingers in the weeks to come," Solheim said. "But this is about the students and how their lives are now affecting our lives." -- Original Source:Daily Nebraskan - April 18, 2007
Virginia shooting shows need for safety awareness on college campuses
By: Laura Chapman Posted: 4/17/07 The university community was stunned Monday morning when a gunman killed more than 30 people, including students, at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va. Though more than 1,000 miles separate the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus from Virginia Tech, UNL students and faculty members felt shock as well. University Police said they have made plans for a response to similar emergencies. David Solheim, the president of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, said the incident was almost surreal. "I couldn't believe that something like this would happen on a college campus," said Solheim, a senior economics and international studies major. "It really makes you take your own daily life into perspective." Ali Moeller, the president of the Academic Senate, also expressed disbelief at the shootings in an e-mail interview. "It is difficult to find the words to describe such a monumental tragedy," she said. Moeller also said she was angry that laws allowed the shooter to have a weapon. "The lives of so many young men and women erased by the bullets of a madman is incomprehensible," she said. Capt. Carl Oestmann of University Police said the department is prepared for situations such as this. The preparation includes the ability to notify people of an emergency, plans to restrict access to academic and residence halls and investments in law enforcement equipment. Oestmann said University Police also has working relationships with other law enforcement agencies in the city, county and state. "It takes a combination of all of the systems to work together," he said. Solheim said Mobile Campus, a service ASUN has looked into investing in, could be a beneficial contact tool for the university in such emergency situations as the shootings at Virginia Tech. The service would allow UNL to send text messages to students. Though some might find the service expensive, it could be worth it, he said. "How much value do you put on a life?" Solheim said. Oestmann also offered his condolences to the Virginia Tech campus. In a late afternoon statement, Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said the university had already received condolences and messages of support from around the world. He said the well wishes were appreciated as the university worked to move forward in the next few days. "I cannot begin to convey my own personal sense of loss over the senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act," he said. A convocation will be held on Virginia Tech's campus today to help students and faculty members grieve. From her dorm room at Virginia Tech, Rachel Gicquelais, a freshman biology major, said she looks forward to attending. "I may not know anyone personally who died," Gicquelais said, "but I know all of us are going to be affected by the fact that part of our student body is gone." Gicquelais said she was in class when she found out about the first shooting, which took place in a residence hall around 7 a.m., leaving two dead. While the students in her class discussed the rumors behind that shooting, her building went into lockdown, she said. After waiting in the classroom for a couple hours, where her teaching assistant let the students go online to look for updates, Gicquelais was allowed to walk back to her dorm. Gicquelais had to take an alternative route back to her dorm, as the normal path would have taken her by Norris Hall, where 31 people were killed, including the gunman. Gicquelais said university officials kept students informed with frequent e-mails. Despite the shootings earlier in the day, she said the university did its best to ensure the safety of students. For the rest of the day, Gicquelais was glued to the television and Internet for updates. Watching the video footage of the campus has been strange for her, she said. "I know exactly where the videos are taken," she said. "I've walked where they are." -- Original Source: Daily Nebraskan - April 17, 2007
We cannot begin to imagine what the community is going through, but we do know they stood strong in the face of terrible acts of violence. We would like to specifically recognize the Collegiate Times, the student newspaper at Virginia Tech, for its excellent news coverage as the rest of the University faced crisis. While the entire school was in a state of shock, the newspaper's staff managed to provide up-to-date information on the paper's Web site, and we want the paper to know their efforts did not go unnoticed. As student journalists, we can understand the horror of working through the greatest school tragedy in history. Many members of The Plainsman staff referenced that site throughout the day to get the latest information, and we are proud of these strong students. As the details of the tragedy continue to be released, we have confidence the newspaper will continue its excellence in reporting. While we watched in shock as the tragedy unfolded, we began to wonder what we would do if something like this happened at Auburn. We discussed the safety measures at Auburn, and we began to realize that is is almost impossible to prepare for an emergency situation of this magnitude. It is the kind of situation that takes one by surprise in the worst way imaginable, and we feel no amount of preparation could have completely prevented the events at Virginia Tech Monday. We commend everyone involved in the tragedy for the efforts they put forth to help the Virginia Tech community. Again, we offer our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the events on Virginia Tech's campus, and you will remain in our thoughts. -- Original Source: Auburn Plainsman - April 18, 2007
Students participate in VT Tech t-shirt fundraiser
By Kristi Oberholzer Copy Editor Thanks to a good idea from a caring Auburn student, Operation: Passion has started what hopes to be a successful fundraiser for victims of the Virginia Tech shootings. Jordan Towns, a junior majoring in animal sciences pre-veterinary studies, created Operation: Passion as a response to the events at Virginia Tech on April 16. Being the T-shirt chair for Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority, Towns immediately knew how to organize the fundraiser. "I got the idea that we need to do something to help those people, and this was the first thing that came to mind," Towns said. Operation: Passion aims to raise money for the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, established to aid in costs for memorials and counseling, as well as communication and comfort expenses for the friends and family members of victims. Students and community members are encouraged to go to the Concourse and in front of Comer Hall, where they can order a maroon and orange shirt which commemorates the date of the incident. Each shirt costs $11. The shirts are shipped within a couple of days and are available for pick-up at the same locations. Master Graphics, located off of South Gay Street, printed the T-shirts for Operation: Passion. The corporation provided a discount rate to Towns to help with the donation. "I can't say enough about Master Graphics," Towns said. "They've been so wonderful." The developing organization has a few volunteers and recruits assisting in dispersing the orders. Through word of mouth, Towns hopes to gain more helpers. Prospective faculty advisers include Dr. Elizabeth Wagner, assistant professor of animal sciences and Dr. William Hardy, the assistant dean of the College of Agriculture and Virginia Tech alumni. Operation: Passion hopes to become a university organization in the fall semester. The group plans to aid other organizations like Impact and the World Food Programme. Hunter Stone, a senior majoring in agronomy and soils, heard about Operation: Passion through Facebook, and contributed to the fundraiser. "Well, I'm good friends with several Virginia Tech folks," Stone said. "If this money can go to them, it's the best thing I can do with my income." With enough interest, a third order can be placed, and T-shirts will be handed out at the same locations with the date to be announced. If you are interested in buying a T-shirt, you can e-mail Towns at operationpassion@gmail.com with your name and shirt size. If you will not be residing in Auburn during the summer, T-shirts can be shipped to your mailing address with a additional $3 charge. -- Original Source: Auburn Plainsman - May 1, 2007
By Sarah Brock Senior Reporter Less than 24 hours after Auburn students created a sign to show support for the Virginia Tech community, the sign was resting on the Drillfield at Virginia Tech's campus thanks to a late-night drive by two Auburn seniors. Around midnight on Tuesday, Cary Farrington and Ryan Hill began to drive to VT to deliver a 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of plywood signed by many Auburn students and faculty. When Farrington and Hill arrived in Blacksburg, Va. around 8:30 a.m., they were received by members of Virginia Tech's SGA, who helped them erect the signed memorial, which reads "We stand with you in Prayer." Farrington described the campus as real silent, partly because many students had left. The students the pair did encounter were still shocked. "It still had not registered with them," Farrington said. "They still had not processed everything. It was really a shock for them." Farrington and Hill had the chance to see the campus, including the buildings where the shootings occurred. Despite the quiet atmosphere, Farrington said police were all over campus. "The Virginia State Police were patrolling everywhere," Farrington said. "I've never seen so many police. On gameday here we see a lot of Alabama State Troopers. This just blows that out of the water." The sign was created by members of Auburn's Wesley Foundation, which held a prayer vigil Monday night. Julie Robertson, associate director of Wesley Foundation, said about 45 people attended the vigil where Farrington and Hill brought up the idea of a sign. "The beautiful thing about the response was the idea of 'what can we do to tangibly show we love them from a distance,'" Robertson said. Farrington, who is president of the Wesley Foundation, isn't sure how many names are on the sign, but he said after the first two hours on the Concourse, he counted 500 names on the front alone. He estimated another 300 on the back. He said the highest guess anyone has made is approximately 2,500 signatures total. "There's literally not any room to put another signature on there," Farrington said. Farrington said the Virginia Tech students received the sign well. "Everybody up there was really appreciative and excited," Farrington said. "It was amazing to see how well they received us." Pictures of the sign on Virginia Tech's campus have been posted on cnn.com and in the photo gallery on usatoday.com. Farrington said he and Hill had to drink a lot of Red Bull and double-shot espressos to make the trip possible. Robertson said an anonymous donor also ensured the sign made it to Virginia Tech by providing the money to make the trip happen. Robertson described the journey as a "labor of love," and one the pair didn't hesitate to take. "The boy has a very busy week," Robertson said. "He did not have time to drive up to Virginia, but it was never a second thought. He never second-guessed it all." But Farrington is reluctant to receive any sort of recognition. "We were real adamant that we wanted to make sure it wasn't about us or us bringing it up," Farrington said. "It was from the Auburn family and that's how we want it to be perceived." -- Original Source:Aubrun Plainsman - April 19, 2007
Virginia Tech tragedy causes campus safety issues to surface at AU By Bethany Kirby Assistant State & Local Editor One question has probably crossed every college student's mind in the last three days. What if it had happened to us? It's a valid question. Virginia Tech, which lies in the heart of the college town of Blacksburg, Va., is similar to Auburn in both size and spirit. Cho Seung-Hui, who was identified as the gunman in Monday's Virginia Tech massacre, took the lives of 32 of his fellow students before taking his own. It has sent universities across the country into a heightened state of awareness about their own preparedness for extreme incidents. "Auburn University has a comprehensive emergency response plan that is practiced frequently," said Christine Eick, director of risk management and safety. "The University has really put a lot of resources into our emergency management and planning," Eick said. "It is something we take very seriously." The University has periodic drills in training for emergency situations. Eick said this develops the communication between the University and the emergency response teams such as the FBI, the Auburn Police Division, the Opelika Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Alabama State Troopers. Eick said the drills include practice in a variety of possible scenarios, so the teams will have a good framework for any type of emergency. "We have actually planned and drilled on persons with weapons," Eick said. Although the most recent drill was different than the situation at Virginia Tech, Eick said it was actually conducted on a larger scale. "It's pretty hard to give out reassurances at this time, because it was a horrific event," Eick said. But she emphasized that for Auburn, emergency management and response is a priority. Capt. Tom Stofer of the Auburn Police Division said there is a school crisis plan for situations like this one in Auburn. "It just basically gives us our protocol to respond to any crisis on any campus," Stofer said. This includes the University, high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. "It covers all type of emergency situations, both natural and man-made," Stofer said. Stofer said it is hard to say exactly what would happen with an incident like this in Auburn. "Every situation is unique in and of itself," Stofer said. "Every situation would demand a response that's unique in and of itself." Stofer said that if another shooting happened tomorrow, it would be different than the one on Monday. "Every situation is different," Stofer said. "Hopefully those agencies that respond ... have the training and flexibility to make wise decisions. Time will tell what things could have been done better." Jamie Duff, a junior in human development and family studies, is from Williamsburg, Va., and many of her friends are students at Virginia Tech. "It's reality — those are my friends," Duff said. "I have a connection with them." Because she knows people closely involved, Duff said it is as real to her as if it had happened at Auburn. Duff said she can't help but compare Virginia Tech and Auburn University — the two schools are similar in size, and the town of Blacksburg is a small college town much like Auburn. "It has the same feeling," Duff said of the similar atmosphere among students at Virginia Tech. "People are questioning why, needing something to blame," Duff said. "People want to place blame on something. "And I think some people right now are looking more at the blaming than the feelings of the people involved. We don't need to turn that into anger yet." -- Original Source: Auburn Plainsman - April 18, 2007