Publicado por Manuel Dávila Galindo Olivares lunes, abril 16, 2007 En honor a lo ominoso Hoy vemos en el mundo el reflejo de lo que somos. Han muerto más estudiantes que caminaban por los pasillos de su escuela a manos de otros estudiantes que disparaban por los pasillos de su escuela. No hay lugar a dudas de que todo lo que hemos realizado a nuestro alrededor, es una simulación de la sociedad que nos gustaría ser. Consejos, anuncios, libros, películas, pláticas, conferencias, noviazgos, padres, amistades, todo gira alrededor de este mundo utópico que nos estorba a casa paso que damos. Por todos los lugares hay una figura que debemos imitar, un peso que debemos alcanzar, una cosa que debemos ignorar; la pobreza y la violencia son la verdadera naturaleza de nuestro presente, aún metidos en un café multinacional de la condesa, encontramos restos de esta sociedad que nos persigue y nos obliga a un cinismo pasmoso. Un estudiante, podrían ser dos, entra a su escuela a las 7 de la mañana. En la escuela camina por los pasillos buscando el lugar donde comenzará a disparar. Cuándo está ahí abre fuego ante la mirada atónita de sus compañeros, muere baleado y no se sabe si alguien más le disparó o se suicido. Más de tres decenas de estudiantes muertos en una universidad que podría ser cualquiera, incluso ésta. El presidente George W. Bush llama a lo sucedido en Virginia Tech una tragedia y ofrece sus condolencias, seguramente utiliza el mismo formato que con los soldados que fallecen diario en Irak. Para muchos es la mayor tragedia en la historia universitaria americana, para otros es un tiroteo más de los muchos que se han suscitado en los últimos diez años. Podemos analizar este evento desde muchas perspectivas, sin embargo entre la búsqueda del análisis olvidaremos la más importante: Más de treinta personas fallecieron porque alguien decidió matarlos. ¿Qué hizo a este ciudadano zero tomar un arma, probablemente semiautomática, y disparar a placer en su propia escuela? ¿Cómo se atreve Bush a llamar una tragedia a algo que el mismo ha provocado en otros países? ¿Qué pasa en los Estados Unidos que matar resulta tan fácil? Son preguntas que no habrá forma de responder, pero son preguntas que debemos hacernos. Lo ocurrido en Virginia es un reflejo de la sociedad que hemos fundado, es el resultado de la ansiedad y la violencia que provocamos con esta obligación que tenemos de ser ciegos a la desgracia humana. ¿Cómo podemos respetar la vida si ante nuestros ojos la pobreza es un momento incómodo a media cena? Algo no está bien y no podemos seguir negándolo. Hemos tomado decisiones equivocadas y en la inercia social las transcurrimos sin poner verdadera atención a aquello en que nos convertimos. ¿Realmente hace falta un tiroteo, un suicidio, un doble asesinato, para darnos cuenta que hemos dejado de funcionar como sociedad? Me preocupa pensar que la respuesta es sí, si no sale en primetime en una televisora internacional no ocurre. Insisto, este evento ocurrió en una Universidad, fue perpetrado por un estudiante que quizá compartía opiniones y aficiones con algunos de ustedes; en el murieron estudiantes como ustedes, por razones que quizá ustedes tampoco comprendan; si les sirve de consuelo, tampoco las comprendo yo. Sin embargo es tiempo de revaluar a este ciudadano zero escondido en los rincones de las escuelas, las oficinas, los hogares, pensar en que es aquello que le estamos pidiendo que haga que lo orilla a tomar un arma y hacer algo grandioso, algo que lo ponga en primetime mundial. -- Fuente Original: http://fachal.blogspot.com/2007/04/virginia-tech.html Licencia de uso: Creative Commons Atribución-No Comercial-No Derivadas 2.5 México.
Creative Commons Atribución-No Comercial-No Derivadas 2.5 México
Actividades en honor a los fallecidos marcan el regreso a virginia tech Publicado por María Luisa Azpiazu EFE 04-24-2007 Washington, D.C — Mucho dolor, impresionantes minutos de silencio y 32 campanadas en memoria de las víctimas de la peor matanza de la historia estudiantil de E.U. marcaron ayer el regreso a clase de los alumnos de la Universidad Politécnica de Virginia. Fueron miles los alumnos que regresaron ayer para rendir tributo a sus compañeros y profesores fallecidos. Justo una semana antes, Cho Seung-Hui, un estudiante coreano de 23 años, decidió cambiar el ritmo devida en esta Universidad del sur del estado de Virginia y mató a 32 personas. Las solemnes conmemoraciones comenzaron muy pronto. El primer minuto de silencio se guardó a las 7:10 de la mañana en el edificio en el que Cho cobró sus dos primeras víctimas. Algo más de dos horas después, la gran concentración se llevó a cabo en el campus central, donde los estudiantes colocaron miles de recuerdos, flores, velas y escritos en recuerdo de las víctimas. Entre los objetos, alguien puso una bandera de Perú y otra de Israel en memoria de dos de las víctimas, el estudiante peruano Daniel Pérez Cuevas y el profesor Liviu Librescu, quien, según testigos, bloqueó con su cuerpo la entrada a su clase del agresor y salvó la vida de varios de sus alumnos, aunque perdió la suya. La mañana fue brillante, soleada y cálida, lo que contribuyó a que el acto fuera aún más solemne. Los estudiantes portaron 33 banderas blancas que representaban tanto a las víctimas como al agresor. Una pequeña banda de música interpretó el himno "America the Beautiful" cerca del lugar donde se había instalado un semicírculo con 33 piedras en recuerdo de los fallecidos. Junto a la piedra del agresor, alguien colocó una carta en la que se asegura que este joven "subestimó nuestra fuerza, coraje y compasión" y en la que se asegura que "rompiste nuestros corazones pero no nuestros espíritus". Este es el resumen de un convencimiento que impera en esta Universidad, decidida a superar el gran trauma. "Tenemos que seguir adelante", aseguran desde las página del "Collegiate Times", el periódico universitario. que ha jugado un papel fundamental tanto en la ayuda a los estudiantes como en la información en los momentos posteriores de la tragedia. La consigna es clara- "Vamos Hokies¡¡", que es el nombre con el que se denominan los estudiantes de esta Universidad. Alumnos, familiares y profesores, escucharon, en medio de un gran recogimiento, las 32 campanadas. Una por cada una de las víctimas. Terminada la letanía, los estudiantes lanzaron 32 globos blancos al cielo seguidos de otros mil de colores naranja y marrón, la enseña de la Universidad. Muchos, todavía, no podían contener las lágrimas y, en declaraciones a medios locales, aseguran que aún no saben si volverán a la Universidad o darán el curso por terminado ya, dos semanas antes de lo previsto. La Universidad permitirá a todo aquel que no quiera volver a las clases repetir el semestre o quedarse con las notas que tenía hasta el momento.Para los que decidan volver, la Universidad tiene una batería de psicólogos que a ayudará a superar el trauma. Se están poniendo en marcha igualmente imaginativas terapias, como la que ha llevado a la Cruz Roja a llevar a este campus decenas de perros amaestrados para ser especialmente cariñosos, que acompañarán a los estudiantes. Se trata, en definitiva, de ofrecer calma y paz para evitar más episodios tristes como el vivido el fin de semana por la familia Soriano. Su hijo Jeff, un estudiante de Virginia Tech que había sobrevivido a la tragedia, se mató en la carretera el viernes, poco antes de llegar a su casa, en Norfolk (Virginia). Su padre, Enrique Soriano, asegura que su hijo es "la víctima número 33" de la tragedia. EFE -- Fuente Original: Diario La Raza - Chicago http://www.laraza.com/news.php?nid=43429&pag=0
Jorge Mederos Executive Editor La Raza Chicago Inc. jorge.mederos@laraza.com August, 13 2007
Community tries to come to terms with horrific attack Maria Tchijov, Cavalier Daily Life Editor BLACKSBURG, Va.-- In a day filled with a constant barrage of media images of the shooter who took the lives of at least three of her friends and 29 others,Behnaz Bonyadian took solace as thousands of people patiently filed into Cassell Coliseum and Lane Stadium yesterday afternoon. The convocation ceremonyincluded remarks from U.S. President George W. Bush and Gov. Tim Kaine. It was a "massive display of respect," the Virginia Tech junior said, observing the crowd. Nearly all entering the somber event wore Hokie maroon and orange as they donned memorial ribbons. During the ceremony, various public officials including Bush and Virginia Tech President Charles Steger offered words of solace to the community. "No words truly express the depth of sadness we feel," Steger said after he received a prolonged standing ovation. "Words are very weak symbols of our emotions at times like this." President and Laura Bush were in attendance at the event, and Bush addressed the university on behalf of the nation. "We've come to express our sympathy," he said. "In this time of anguish, I hope you know that people all over this country are thinking of you and asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected." Throughout the southwestern Virginia campus, students, university employees and faculty members tried to comprehend the senseless tragedy. Choices Monday morning Senior Kate Stuck of Granby, Conn. was sitting in class in Pamplin Hall Monday morning when she heard about the situation. One of her classmates, who had a laptop, received the first e-mail sent out at 9:26 a.m. "We knew something was going on," Stuck said. Her fears were confirmed when her boyfriend, under lockdown in Randall Hall, called her cell phone. Unlike Stuck, Chris Cooke learned about the shooting first-hand through the first e-mail sent out about the attacks by the administration, and he decided not to go to class. He e-mailed his professor and asked to make up the lab. He said at that point he felt his personal safety was more important then the inconvenience of an 8 a.m. Friday make-up lab. "It kind of makes you wonder if you are safe anywhere," said Anthony Linkous, a 25-year veteran maintenance worker for Virginia Tech. He said his wife called him frantically every half-hour, begging him to come home. Addressing the situation Two weeks ago, Amie Steele took over as editor-in-chief of The Collegiate Times, Tech's student newspaper. On Monday, she found herself in the middle of an international media hailstorm as her phone rang off the hook. "Breaking news isn't my forte yet," she said, explaining that she rose through the ranks on the production staff, specializing in layout and design. During the 24 hours following the shooting, Steele managed to sleep for an hour and a half. For her, the most overwhelming part of the experience has been the international media presence. "We are trying to get our own stories, conduct our own interviews, and they keep on calling," she said. "It's difficult to juggle." Overall, however, she said she feels the media has approached the issue with sensitivity and has been respectful of the personal nature of the evolving situation. The intense media attention on the shooting has forced university administrators and police officials into the unexpected position of answering not just to their local community, but to throngs of media outlets and their readership. To resolve these concerns Gov. Time Kaine, at the request of Steger and Tech's Board of Visitors, has commissioned an independent panel to review the way the incident was handled. "It's the most horrific thing that has ever happened," said Laurel Stell, a senior from Charlottesville. "At first everyone was angry at Steger for not locking down the campus, [but] they never meant for anyone to get hurt." Stell noted that because the gunman lived in a dorm and thus had a dorm key, he could have easily gotten into any residential area. While students like Stell do not assign blame to the administration, other students and media outlets have done so. Some groups and individuals focused on other issues, such as gun control, have also jumped on the issue. Gov. Tim Kaine expressed his disdain for this behavior. "People who want to take this event 24 hours afterwards and make this their political hobbyhorse, I've got nothing but loathing for them," Kaine said in a press conference. What next? After addressing the significant dislocation and emotional trauma caused by the incident, the Virginia Tech community must prepare to resume core educational operations. Yesterday administrators announced that classes would be canceled until at least Monday. Norris Hall, home of the civil engineering department, will be closed for the rest of the semester. Christina McIntyer, a professor in the human nutrition food and exercise department, remains optimistic that the university community will emerge intact. "We're a strong community," she said. "If anything, this will bring us closer. It'll be a day we remember." Cooke, a civil engineering major, said in the long-term he was concerned not only about the future location of his department but about the outcome of his coursework and grades. He said he had several exams in the next few weeks and he was not sure if they would be pushed back or canceled. But, even in the face of uncertainty relating to his academic career, Cooke said he did not want to be "standing idly by." He and fellow members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity got together to donate blood yesterday to help stave off Blacksburg's severe blood shortage. The charitable activities in which many students are engaging provide much needed hope. But for graduating seniors, Monday's events place a permanent stain on the bright celebrations of future opportunities many had been looking forward to. "Graduation is now more of a memorial than a celebration," said Andrew Stone, a senior from Charlotte, N.C. Monday's events have not only left a mark on the students leaving Tech, but also on the many potential new members of the university community. "It is going to make people think twice about coming to Tech," Linkous said. "People want to know they're safe." One of the core challenges everyone sees in the response to the tragedy is moving forward in a manner deferential to the victims of Monday's massacre. "We've got to get back into it sometime," Linkous said. "But we have to remember what happened." - Alex Sellinger contributed to this article. -- Original Source:The Cavalier Daily - April 18, 2007
Police identify Norris Hall shooter as Va. Tech student
Cho attended Northern Va. high school, peers describe him as 'loner' Maria Tchijov and Thomas Madrecki, Cavalier Daily Senior Writers BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Police identified Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old Virginia Tech student, as the gunman responsible for killing 30 victims Monday in Virginia Tech's Norris Hall. Some who knew him described Cho as "a complete loner" and the author of "disturbing" and "excessively violent" plays. Cho was found dead among the carnage that spanned four rooms and a nearby stairwell in Norris Hall. Cho, a native of South Korea, was linked to the murder weapon through a fingerprint contained in immigration documents. Ballistics tests confirmed that one of the two guns found at Norris Hall was also used at the shooting that took place two hours earlier in West Ambler Johnston dormitory. While police said it is likely that the two shootings are related, the investigation is ongoing. An ongoing investigation Cho was an English major at the university from Centreville, Va. Peers from Cho's middle school in Centreville said he was quiet, shy and withdrawn. "He was made fun of a lot by everybody," said Samuel Linton, a homeroom classmate of Cho's during seventh and eighth grade. "He was a complete loner, he never said a word ... he had no interaction with teachers -- he just stared like he wasn't paying attention." David Gearheart, who also attended middle school with Cho, said he talked to Cho once or twice, but that talking to him was just that -- talking to somebody rather than with somebody. "He had a lot of crazy writings in his notebook and stuff, how he hated Americans," Gearheart said. Linton said Cho was once reported to the principal for writing down the names of people he was supposedly planning to kill. "It was like a hit list," Linton said. "They found one in his locker." Linton said people "constantly" talked about how Cho might be the type of person that would one day attempt to kill someone. Officials at a press conference yesterday said they could not comment on allegations that Cho had a previous run-in with law enforcement officers in Blacksburg in 2005. Authorities executed a search warrant yesterday of Cho's dorm room in Harper Hall and removed mostly documentary evidence, including his writings that were widely characterized as violent by peers and professors. Stephanie Derry, a senior English student at Virginia Tech, said she knew Cho from a playwriting class. Derry described Cho's plays as "disturbing," but said nobody in the class took them as entirely serious. "The plays were excessively violent," Derry said. "But you can't really assume that everything written is true or is going to be true." The Associated Press reported that officials recovered a note in Cho's dorm that lambasted "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans." Virginia State Police Superintendent Steve Flaherty said, however, there is no evidence of a suicide note. Flaherty also announced that the handguns used by Cho in the massacre were purchased in accordance with Virginia law in March. Police have not yet determined whether Cho had an accomplice in the shootings. Officials indicated that a person of interest from the first shooting is cooperating with police. That individual was an acquaintance of the female victim of the first shooting and was stopped by police and questioned by authorities at the time of the second shooting. As of press time, this individual was still considered a "person of interest." Officials respond Gov. Tim Kaine extended his condolences to the Virginia Tech community during a televised broadcast last night. "Our hearts go out to the entire community, Kaine said. "This is the darkest day in the wonderful history of Virginia Tech." Kaine also said he will commission an independent panel of law enforcement experts in the next 48 hours to examine the administration and law enforcement response to the events leading up to and immediately following Monday morning's shootings. The purview of this examination will include complaints about the university administration's delay in notifying students of danger immediately after the first shooting. That decision has been questioned publicly by some students and members of the media. Kaine did not answer questions regarding policy changes. "Before we talk about any policy changes we have to get our best assessment of what occurred," Kaine said. Kaine added that families of the victims were the number one priority. "This is not a crusade or something for a political campaign," Kaine said. "It's about comforting families ... and helping this community heal ... For those who want to make this into some kind of crusade I say take that elsewhere." Officials said yesterday they are not releasing the names of the victims until they have identified all the remains and notified the next of kin. Several media sources, including the student newspaper at Tech, have released preliminary lists of the victims' names. Virginia Tech president Charles Steger said Virginia Tech will cancel classes for the remainder of the week. Further announcements about classes were expected today. Norris Hall will remain closed for the rest of the school year. "As you can understand, we are still working to understand this terrible tragedy," Steger said. "It is very difficult for me to express how we feel." -- Alex Sellinger and Stephanie Kassab contributed to this article -- Original Source: The Cavalier Daily - April 18, 2007
‘Era un buen amigo y un ser excepcional’
Primo de Ramón Ortiz, víctima en virginia tech, lo recuerda como un joven ejemplar Publicado por Maribel Hastings Corresponsal La Opinión 04-19-2007 Washington, D.C.— Juan Ramón Ortiz Ortiz era un joven ingeniero de 26 años, amante de su familia, de la música, de su carrera. "Ramón era un chico prometedor y un ser humano excepcional que por causas de la vida se le privó de ciertamente ser un ciudadano modelo y ejemplar". Así se expresó Óscar Marrero, primo de Ramón, como le llamaba, un puertorriqueño que el lunes fue una de las víctimas mortales de la matanza de la Universidad virginia tech, a la que asistía junto con su esposa Liselle Vega. Casados hace apenas año y medio, el joven matrimonio —ambos ingenieros— se trasladó en agosto de 2006 a virginia tech a cursar sus maestrías. Como todos los días, la pareja se despidió y cada uno se dirigió a sus respectivas clases, cuando se divulgó la noticia del tiroteo. Liselle llamó al teléfono celular de Juan Ramón y le envió correos electrónicos. Al no tener respuesta temió lo peor. Así fue. Marrero conversó con La Opinión vía telefónica desde Puerto Rico. Los padres de Juan Ramón viven en Bayamón. El primo de Juan Ramón, con voz pausada y temblorosa por el dolor de la muerte de su familiar, dijo: "Juan era un muchacho completamente sano, sin ningún tipo de vicios, un muchacho extraordinario y muy aventajado en el área académica, que era un buen amigo, un buen hijo". Y añadió: "Es una pérdida muy grande que todavía no acabamos de entender, y si no la acabamos de entender no la hemos podido asimilar... Y si no la hemos podido asimilar, pues tampoco nos hemos podido reponer". "La familia está devastada. Ha sido un golpe contra la valla. Una situación muy lamentable que no esperábamos", agregó. Juan Ramón estudió ingeniería en la Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico. Siempre fue un alumno y un profesional sobresaliente lleno de aspiraciones, afirmó su primo. "No era un chico conforme. Estaba tras una maestría y un doctorado", indicó. "Pero también le gustaba la música. Tocaba los timbales en una agrupación de música 'del ayer' en la que su papá funge como músico y primer guitarrista", explicó. Óscar dijo que desea que recuerden a su primo "con todos los honores, con todos los méritos, como un ser humano que merecía vivir, un ser humano lleno de alegría, feliz, capaz, inteligente, y un ser humano que por causas de la vida el lunes se le privó de ciertamente ser un ciudadano modelo y ejemplar". "Era un chico que nunca tuvo un cigarrillo en su boca, no era tomador, no era abusivo, no era mal hijo. Eso es lo que duele. Es algo inverosímil", sostuvo Marrero. Pero dijo que no quiere buscar culpables: "Realmente es un proceso que se nos escapa de las manos. Es una situación fortuita que puede suceder dondequiera, en cualquier lugar, en cualquier escenario. En cualquier parte de los confines de este planeta donde haya seres humanos estas cosas suceden", dijo. El padre del joven fallecido, Juan Ramón Ortiz Colón, declaró al periódico El Nuevo Día, de Puerto Rico, que "cuando una persona va a morir, va a morir como quiera... si mi hijo hubiera estado en Puerto Rico le pasaba lo mismo, aunque quizá no de la misma manera. Me han dicho que murió en el acto, así que doy gracias a Dios. No sufrió". Marrero dijo a La Opinión: "Tratamos de mantener la fe en Dios y queremos agradecer el apoyo y pedirle a todo el cuerpo de Dios en este mundo que nos ayuden con sus oraciones para mantener a esta familia un poco más repuesta, porque ha sido un golpe devastador y los cimientos de esta familia se han sacudido". EFE -- Fuente Original: Diario La Raza - Chicago http://www.laraza.com/news.php?nid=43365&clave=a%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A13%3A%22virginia+tech%22%3B%7D
Jorge Mederos Executive Editor La Raza Chicago Inc. jorge.mederos@laraza.com August 13, 2007
Comunidad coreana teme tras matanza en Virginia
Pide no centrarse en el origen del agresor, sino en el problema de las armas en el país. Publicado por Maribel Hastings Corresponsal La Opinión 04-18-2007 Washington, D.C.— A partir de la revelación de que el supuesto responsable de la matanza en la universidad virginia tech es un residente legal originario de Corea del Sur, se ha generado cierta preocupación entre las comunidades coreana y asiática en general de Estados Unidos y entre los grupos que las representan por temor a repercusiones negativas hacia este sector de la población. Personas entrevistadas coincidieron en que la raza, el origen nacional o la situación migratoria de Cho Seung Hui, de 23 años, no debería opacar la raíz del problema, ya sea la situación mental que lo llevó a cometer tal acto o la facilidad con que obtuvo armas de fuego. Cho llegó a Estados Unidos en 1992 procedente de Corea del Sur. Era residente permanente y se reportó que renovó su documento migratorio por última vez en octubre de 2003. De momento, líderes de las comunidades coreana y asiática indicaron a La Opinión que han recibido reportes sin confirmar de incidentes aislados. "Estamos preocupados. Desafortunadamente hemos recibido reportes de algunos incidentes, pero nada ha sido confirmado", dijo a este diario Aimee Baldillo, directora de programas del Centro de Justicia Asiático Americano con sede en Washington, D.C. Agregó: "Nuestra preocupación inicial es estar presentes para la comunidad de virginia tech", como lo han estado, aseguró, en oportunidades previas para atender asuntos de otras comunidades. Por su parte, Eun Sook Lee, directora ejecutiva del Consorcio para la Educación al Servicio de la Nación Coreana (NAKASEC), con sede en Los Ãngeles, indicó a La Opinión que no han recibido reportes específicos de incidentes en contra de coreanos, pero que ha sido tema de discusiones entre las diversas organizaciones y se ha discutido en programas de radio. Añadió que, sin embargo, la raza, el origen nacional y la situación migratoria de Cho "no deberían ser el foco central de la historia". Deberían serlo las causas del problema, agregó, "porque esto, lamentablemente, lo vimos anteriormente en situaciones como Columbine" [en referencia a otra matanza en una secundaria de Colorado en 1999]. "Lo ocurrido es una tragedia indecible, pero también sería una tragedia si un individuo [Cho] viene a simbolizar a una amplia comunidad coreana que ha contribuido de manera vital a este país", indicó Lee. En momentos en que el Congreso debate una potencial reforma inmigratoria integral, Douglas Rivlin, portavoz del Foro Nacional de Inmigración (NIF), respondió a La Opinión que es posible que no falten "los oportunistas que siempre intentan vincular todo con la comunidad inmigrante o extranjera". Pero lo ocurrido tiene que ver con el estado mental de una persona y no con el tema de las visas, aclaró. Además de la tragedia de la muerte de decenas de personas, "sería una tragedia que [el joven coreano] se convirtiera en el rostro de la comunidad coreana o de cualquier comunidad extranjera", dijo Rivlin. © La Opinión -- Fuente Original: Diario La Raza -Chicago http://www.laraza.com/news.php?nid=43339&clave=a%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A13%3A%22virginia+tech%22%3B%7D
This is a banner from another university that was at the memorial.
I took a picture of these flowers on the drillfield near the memorial.
Publicado por Mariluz Barrera González viernes 20 de abril de 2007 Siempre pienso en mi padre, en cualquier instante de mi vida, siempre está presente. Sobre todo en los momentos más difíciles o cuando siento que las cosas empeoran cada vez más. A veces siento que el espíritu pierde fuerzas, se agota o debilita ante tantas circunstancias, tantos eventos que me cuestionan si ser tan objetiva y sensible a nuestra realidad vale la pena, en un mundo donde ya nadie quiere serlo, y donde al parecer serlo me convierte poco a poco en un ser fuera de lugar, principalmente en mi lugar de trabajo. Me preocupa dejar de ser sensible, he comentado que en mi trabajo y en mi profesión la realidad es algo que se muestra con mucha crudeza y dolor la mayoría de las veces; y sin embargo se me hace difícil entender que aún así a las personas les cueste trabajo aceptar ayuda y peor aún querer terminar con esa situación que les provoca sufrimiento. Entonces entiendo por que la humanidad atraviesa por tantos problemas que aún no se resuelven. La matanza de Virginia es para mí una consecuencia muy grande del grado máximo al que podemos llegar ante lo peor de la indiferencia, dejar de mirarnos como personas a nosotros mismos y por consiguiente a los demás. Dejar de hacerlo nos convierte en seres que no me atrevería a decir de que tipo. Creo que el asesino de Virginia sintió que definitivamente ya no era mirado ni tratado como tal (Aunque por los antecedentes que tenía tal vez nunca lo fué) y como consecuencia pensó que este acto ruin y terrible era una llamada de atención para ser observado aunque sea por un instante y no pasar desapercibido, en un mundo donde ya nadie se mira; donde nos tratan y nos tratamos como objetos. En terapia muchas veces les he preguntado a mis pacientes adictos que diferencia existe entre ellos y una silla y sorprendentemente no tienen una respuesta, a veces me contestan que la silla tiene 4 patas y ellos dos. Reconocer nuestra humanidad ya no es tan fácil, y reconocerla sin tocarla peor, tal vez por eso es tan dificil entender que un ser que no ha nacido existe y definitivamente representa vida, si al que existe ni siquiera lo miramos y tratamos como tal, a pesar de que su presencia ya es una exigencia y muestra de que lo es. Les comparto unas palabras de mi padre, siempre fue un ser sensible, y nos enseño a serlo, ante nuestra humanidad y la que se nos presenta a diario; le agradezco tan importante enseñanza pues la vida nos puso a todas nosotras sus hijas en circunstancias donde siempre será necesario tan noble aprendizaje. Igualmente les comparto un video, con una música de fondo que en lo personal me encanta y creo que refleja en estos momentos mi sentir, ante todo lo que me rodea y me recuerda que soy y que somos personas. En realidad Solo le Pido a Dios que me permita continuar.... UN BESO A TODOS. "Querida hija, sentí honda emoción al ver que generosamente tendiste la mano a un pobre, que llamó a nuestra puerta implorando un pedazo de pan; tu actitud revestida con la grandeza de lo ingenuo, logró hacer correr por la faz del mendigo emocionado, un raudal de lágrimas, desahogo inefable para su alma atormentada. Muchas reflexiones me sugeriste al preguntarme confundido la razón de su llanto, y no buscando en ese momento la manera de explicarte la causa de su emoción, procuraré en los siguientes renglones demostrarte que realizaste una bella obra. El concepto vulgar de caridad, nace casi siempre de una de las más grandes debilidades humanas, la vanidad: se ofrece una moneda con una actitud soberbia para demostrar la supremacía económica: se donan millones buscando muchas veces sólo la alabanza pública para exhibir su nombre; si algún día por esos azares frecuentes de la vida, te hallas en condiciones de poder distribuir el bienestar entre los demás recuerda que debes hacerlo sin humillarlos y sin envanecerte, para que puedas experimentar uno de los mas grandes goces: hacer el bien sin ostentación. Para practicar tan bella virtud, no necesitas materializar este noble sentimiento; una verdadera obra caritativa, puede realizarse en múltiples formas: enjugando una lágrima, curando una herida, ofreciendo al caído, del que todos huyen, palabras que lo hagan sentir que se le comprende en la inmensidad de su dolor, prodigando una palabra respetuosa a la hetaira por todos vilipendiada, acariciando a un niño que llora abandonado. El hombre por su misma naturaleza está hecho al sacrificio, y por consiguiente a practicar la caridad en sus moldalidades más excelsas; nuestras mismas células, minuto a minuto se sacrifican por conservar la vida de nuestra materia organizada en ser; y el individuo que no esmás que una célula de organismo social también debe inmolarse cuando llega el instante preciso. Cuando se realiza un bello acto, hija mía, el hombre se siente redimido del cavernario que acecha en el fondo de nuestro ser la ocasión para demostrarse con todos sus innobles apetitos." -- Fuente Original: Blog Expediente http://rboexpediente.blogspot.com/2007/04/solo-le-pido-dios.html Licencia de uso: Creative Commons Atribución-No Comercial-No Derivadas 2.5 México.
By Marissa Camilon Staff Writer Amidst the midterms, papers and parties, college students can find it hard to believe that just a 20-minute period can actually make our lives stress-free and easier. This was the message that was emphasized during the Art of Living Organization's talk, "Creating a Violence-Free Society." With guest speaker international humanitarian Swami Pragyapad, this event strived to reach out to the UC Irvine community in order to establish a more peaceful and more harmonious environment for students and faculty. While the talk was open to the public, it proved to be an intimate atmosphere for the organization and event-goers. Sitting in a simple white chair in the front of the room, Pragyapad comfortably addressed real life issues that we struggle with in our everyday life. According to Pragyapad, we begin our lives as children constantly being told that we are to be calm and quiet, but never told how. If that wasn't enough of a predicament, it is also human nature for us to constantly think about the things that we are told not to think about. These inner conflicts can cause us to feel immense stress and when the mind is disturbed, the effects can be seen in all aspects of life. Pragyapad went on to explain the four factors that affect our state of mind. The type of food we eat can be very important. As a "gas" for our bodies and brains, eating the wrong kind of food can alter our behavior. Secondly, the quality of sleep that each of us receive can have a heavy impact on our lifestyle. Also, our breathing pattern can change our mindset. It is for us to recognize that when we are in a state of fear or anger, we can breathe a certain way. We should also recognize that intentionally taking calm, deep breaths can help change our attitudes. In addition, our understanding of what our lives are about and who we are can have an effect on our state of mind. The more we feel we have a grasp on life, the more our minds can be at ease. Just as a disturbed mind can cause unwanted side effects, a calm mind can make everything seem just that much better. With a clear mind, one can make decisions, study and even play better. Pragyapad's key tip to getting a good night's rest is simply to work hard. Another technique to having a stress-free mind is meditation, which he defined as the "art of doing nothing." In 20-minutes of meditation, someone can get the same amount of rest as four hours of sleep. When asked what he thought about during meditation, Pragyapad replied that he would simply "observe whatever happens in the body." So why don't more college students take advantage of the benefits from a simple meditation? "Because they think meditation is anti-enjoyment," said Pragyapad, who insists that this is far from the truth. For Pragyapad, a calming mind allows him to handle his frustrations and even help his grades, while studying less. Meditation doesn't even require you to necessarily go anywhere exotic, as was evident from our group meditation in a classroom. He does warn, however, that first-time meditation can lead to a sensation of sleepiness from the calming of the mind, which "passes in a few minutes." In regard to the recent "epidemic" of violence on high school and college campuses, Pragyapad sees meditation and other stress-relieving techniques as a means to help promote a stress-free university environment. To curb the violence, Pragyapad believes that we have to do two things. First, we all have to accept responsibility for the violent overtones in society and stop pointing fingers at each other. In accepting responsibility, we can all contribute to the change that needs to be done to better the community. The second step is to reach out to those people who don't know how to handle their emotions. Pragyapad says that "most of us can curb our violence tendencies; others cannot." Realizing this, we must reach out to everyone, because as Pragyapad says, it "doesn't require many to make hell for all of us." Using the methods of stress relief and meditation that is promoted by the Art of Living Organization, these individuals can learn how to deal with stress and find alternatives to such violent tendencies. Since the shooting at Virginia Tech University and suicide on the UCI campus, Matthew Scharpnick, a student at the Paul Merage School of Business and participant in the Art of Living Organization, says that the "whole foundation is putting forth an effort in the university [setting]." Scharpnick continues that "with things like the Virginia Tech shooting, you can't say for sure, but maybe, if he had the tools [of meditation and breath exercises], things could've been different." The Art of Living course is a six-day class that teaches a combination of yoga, meditation and breath techniques called Sudarshan Kriya. This course gives participants the skills to deal with stress and negative emotions. -- Original Source: New University - May 21, 2001
04/19/07 95 words posted by Mark Bard at 11:19 AM The Librarians of Second Life have constructed a virtual memorial on Info Island to commemorate the victims of Virginia Tech. Pictures of the victims are displayed on a wall, and when visitors click on the picture they are directed to short biographies. There is also a pillar with a list of names and a place to leave virtual flowers. The memorial can be found right next to the Second Life Info Island Welcome Center. For those not yet on Second Life, I took some pictures, which are available on the ALA Washington Office's Flickr page. -- Original Source: ALA District Dispatch Blog http://blogs.ala.org/districtdispatch.php?title=virginia_tech_memorial&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5.
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Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:50:15 -0400 From: Provost@vt.edu To: Multiple recipients <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.VT.EDU> Subject: Provost Update September 10, 2007 Monday, September 10, 2007 Colleagues, On behalf of President Charles Steger, I have convened and will chair an ad hoc task force to develop recommendations for the future use of the seven former classrooms on the second floor front wing of Norris Hall. The task force membership includes faculty, staff, students, and administrators who represent broad university interests and are sensitive to the impact of the April 16 tragedy. The charge to the task force is to seek input regarding potential uses of the specified space in Norris Hall, review proposals, and to make recommendations. The task force is advisory to President Steger as he prepares to finalize a decision about the allocation of space in Norris Hall. The amount of assignable space is approximately 4,500 sq. ft. The remainder of Norris Hall (approximately 35,000 sq. ft.) is occupied by the College of Engineering programs, and includes academic and administrative offices, laboratories, storage and support facilities, and computer rooms. The specified rooms will not be reassigned to their former use, nor will they be a site for a public memorial or museum commemorating the April 16 tragedy. The task force will consider issues of scope, cost, impact, programmic relationships, the strategic plan, long-term vision, access, security, etc. in considering proposals. Because the rooms under consideration are contiguous with the other spaces, the infrastructure issues and potential uses must take the impact on the entire building into account. I am pleased to announce that the task force is accepting pre-proposals at this time (one to two pages with an emphasis on ideas and concepts). We welcome and encourage all ideas and proposals. Fully developed proposals (i.e., architectural renderings, cost estimates, etc.) will be requested selectively after initial reviews. When submitting a pre-proposal, please: * Provide the scope and programmatic relationships of the project; * Include a single contact person and contact information (e-mail, phone, address). Submissions must be postmarked or hand-delivered by September 30, 2007. We have already received a number of informal suggestions and we will contact everyone who has already offered ideas. We will also be sending letters to the families of victims. Fax or e-mail submissions will not be accepted. Please mail submissions to: Office of the Provost Virginia Tech 210 Burruss Hall (0132) Blacksburg, VA 24061 Attention: Norris Hall Task Force Thank you, Mark G. McNamee University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
What Jesus calls us to when we're most frightened. Mark Galli | posted 4/17/2007 11:35AM When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." —John 20:19-21 Hiding is an inescapable part of the human condition, and it started early: And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Gen. 3:8). In last Sunday's lectionary reading from the Gospels, we see a similar pattern. The disciples hide in a house behind locked doors, because they are afraid of the authorities who had just murdered their master. After Monday's horrific massacre in Virginia, most of us will want to go and do likewise. We'll want to hide from God, from others, and from ourselves. The massacre disturbs us not because it's unusual but because it reminds us of the many slaughters inflicted on innocents everyday across the globe. It is a frightening icon of our vulnerability and mortality. We are right to be afraid. The enlightened, scientific, rational ethos that pervades our culture hypnotizes us into believing that with every biomedical breakthrough and fresh psychological insight we are progressing as a species. That's a lie. Psychologists work mightily to shape relationships and convince us we really are "safe." But we're not safe. It's as simple as that. We're vulnerable. And we know it. And so we hide. * * * The man and woman hid themselves "among the trees in the garden." That pristine garden. A perfect garden. That spot "among the trees" must have been beautiful. The disciples hid themselves in a house. They did not escape into the wilderness, but entered a home, a beautiful place of security, family, and love. Some of us dash to an ugly place to escape our fears—into drinking or drugs or sexual addictions. Anything to dull the pain, to escape thinking about the things that frightens us. But most of us choose to hide in a beautiful place. I have a friend who hides in busyness, productivity, and accomplishments. While at work, he rarely lifts his head from his desk—he's in e-mail and phone conversations all day. At home, he's mowing the lawn, sweeping the porch, repainting the bedroom, or doing the dishes. Accomplishments are beautiful things. A resume full of great deeds done is something to be admired. My friend gets a lot of deserved praise for his productivity. But he admitted to me one day that he bustled about because when he stopped and tried to enjoy his garden in the cool of the day, he started hearing things—thoughts about his troubled marriage, his wayward kids, and his own mortality. He dashed back into productivity as quickly as possible. Some hide in organization because they fear chaos. Some hide in spontaneity because they abhor the accountability that organization demands. Some hide in frugalness because they're frightened of poverty. Some hide in vitamins and exercise and a low trans-fat diet because they believe they can forestall their mortality, or at least Alzheimer's. After this week, we'll want to hide. Some will hide in safety. This is a beautiful thing, something we rightly desire. We use helmets and seatbelts and stand in long lines to throw ourselves in front of metal detectors because we want to be safe. Maybe in the coming months, we'll come up with "more effective means of keeping our schools safe." No inconvenience, no humiliation will seem too great if it means safety at the other end. Some will hide in the public's welfare. We'll debate whether there are too many guns out there, or not enough. We'll argue about how much freedom we should give up in the name of security. And we'll preach mightily what is best for the nation. Others will hide in righteous anger at the failure of authorities to warn students. We'll demand accountability until someone's head rolls. But wherever we choose to hide, we'll all be hiding from the same thing: our vulnerability, our mortality, the suddenness with which life can be snatched from us or our loved ones. Safety and public policy and righteous anger—these are good and necessary things. But they can also turn into places to hide, where we crouch in the dark, trembling and alone. * * * If hiding is an escapable part of the human condition, longing to be found is a universal human desire. As children, we relish the game of hide and seek in part, I suspect, because it is rehearsal for the game we play in life. Most of us want to be hiders; we love to find secure places where the seeker can never discover us. Some of us are really good hiders, and it takes a long time to be found. After a while, we get restless and lonely, and we yearn to hear the magical phrase, "Olly, olly, oxen free!" — the invitation to come out of hiding and to rejoin our friends. When Jesus appears to his hiding disciples and says, "Peace be with you," he is saying, "Olly, olly, oxen free! You don't have to hide anymore. You don't have to be stuck in isolation and loneliness and fear." Then he shows them the wounds in his hands and his side, as if to say, "I understand your fear. I've been there. I've sweated blood in prayer. I've hung on a cross. I know what it's like to die." This seems to me to be a word to Christians, who add to the many hiding places our culture offers an especially religious one. Sometimes we use faith to mask our deepest fears, to fool ourselves and our brothers and sisters into believing that, really, we are confident and bold in the face of death. This next Sunday we may smile and lift our hands in praise, never daring to suggest that we, too, have been shaken by the massacre of innocents. Rather than scold us for shallow and fickle faith, Jesus comes to us today as he came to his disciples. But today he comes to us in his body, the church. He reveals himself again and again in the bread and wine, in his body and blood — the wounds in his hands and side: "I understand your fear. I know what it's like to feel vulnerable and exposed and to stare into death's face. You're not alone." And at various points in worship, he offers us his peace, from the simple greeting we give one another—"Peace be with you"—to the benediction: "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you; may the Lord lift of his countenance upon you and give you peace." In this community, he encourages us to admit our fears, to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), to come out of hiding and rejoin our friends in the fellowship of suffering. "You don't have to hide alone anymore. Olly, olly, oxen free!" * * * It would be wonderful to end here—such a note of hope and comfort! But Jesus does not stop here. Instead he blesses the disciples again — "Peace be with you" — as if he's about to tell them something really frightening. "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Jesus was sent by the Father into Jerusalem, into Judea, into the very arena where authorities came to despise and finally kill him. And he tells the disciples that the very thing that frightens them and has compelled them to hide—well, that's the place he is sending them. If hiding from fear is the universal human condition, then stepping out into the place of fear is at the heart of Christ's call on us. In one scene in the HBO series Band of Brothers, the platoon assaults a town the Germans are holding. As they begin the attack, the Germans unleash a torrent of bullets and artillery. We see two soldiers rush up to the edge of town and then fall behind a stone wall. The platoon leader orders them to move out, to storm the town. But they just sit there, grasping their rifles in fear. Finally, the platoon leader grabs them by their uniforms, pulls them to their feet, and shoves them out into the field of battle, into the place that frightens them to death. That's what Jesus does to the disciples. The disciples want to hunker down behind closed doors, but Jesus grabs them by their discipleship uniforms and shoves them outside to face bullets and artillery and maybe even death. We often wonder how we are to discern the will of Jesus for our lives, wishing he would write his will in the sky or whisper it into our ears. All the while, he is shouting to us through our deepest fears — "As the Father sent me, so I send you!" — sending us into the very situation from which he are hiding. In the coming weeks, parents will be more anxious than ever about the safety of their children. Students will wonder if they'll ever feel safe again. And all of us will feel vulnerable and exposed to the sudden and arbitrary nature of death. These are the very places Jesus calls us to go into. The place may be a physical place, like a school campus. Or it may be an interior place, where one is called to face one's mortality as never before. But wherever the arena is, that's likely where we are called to venture next. Make no mistake: There is no promise of safety in Jesus' call. As he calls us into the frightening arena, he points to the wounds in his hands and side, as if to remind us that we are afraid for good reason. It really is a dangerous world. It really does wound us. Eventually, it kills us. But while he does not promise us safety, Jesus does give us his peace. "Peace be with you." This is not the peace of pleasant feelings, of course, but the peace that comes from knowing we are in God's purpose and presence no matter what bullets may fly around us. The hymn "They Cast Their Nets in Galilee" describes the simple life enjoyed by John and Peter before they met Jesus — "before they ever knew the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too." Though John died homeless in Patmos, and Peter was crucified upside down, the hymn concludes, The peace of God, it is no peace, but strife closed in the sod, Yet let us pray for but one thing — the marvelous peace of God. The world continues to groan as it awaits its redemption; wailing is heard from one end of the earth to the other. How much more blood must be spilled before the one who was mistaken as a gardener on Easter morning replants the new garden? God only knows. In the meantime, we can know the paradoxical peace Jesus provides, a peace that gives us courage to face the very things that frighten us — until the day we find ourselves in a garden once again, this time with no reason to hide. Mark Galli is managing editor of Christianity Today and author of Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untameable God (Baker). This article was adapted from a sermon given at Church of the Resurrection, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, on April 15, 2007. You are welcome to comment on this article below or on Mark's blog. Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. -- Used by permission, Christianity Today 2007 Original Source: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/aprilweb-only/116-23.0.html
Becky Custer, Editorial Coordinator (bcuster@christianitytoday.com)
By Mark Humphrey Monday, April 23, 2007 It's no secret that the news media exercises bad judgment at times. Granted, we, as journalists, try to make informed decisions about what to cover and how. For example, during summer training at the Daily Bruin, we did a news-judgment exercise involving an actual story. The story was about a baby who had been murdered by her father, and the story also highlighted how a welfare program had failed the family. The issue was whether to run a photo of a coroner holding a bag that had the baby's body in it - was the photo just simply shocking, or did it further the purpose of the story? We ultimately decided we would run the photo. Our reasoning was that the photo, while shocking and potentially in poor taste, further hammered home the main point of the story - how social programs had failed this family so terribly. Judging by the mainstream media's recent coverage of certain events, I think many journalists would do well to take part in this same exercise. In the past few weeks we've been bombarded by three stories. First came radio douche bag Don Imus' derogatory remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Then came NBC's decision to broadcast Virginia Tech killer Cho Seung-Hui's videotaped rantings. Finally, there came Alec Baldwin's disturbing phone message to his daughter. Aside from showing the ugly side of humanity, these stories have one thing in common: They were all covered in a misguided fashion. With Imus, people were right to be up in arms. He defamed a group of talented young women at what was supposed to be their finest moment. Unfortunately, this story got hammered into the ground, filling the airwaves at every single second of the day. Why was this a problem? Because of media hypocrisy. One of the main reasons the media gave for covering this so relentlessly was to right Imus' wrong: defaming a group of women because of what he thought of their physical appearance. Yet, by covering this so excessively, Imus' comments have been replayed so many times it's gotten to the point where some would associate the Rutgers women less with basketball and more with Imus. It doesn't matter how untrue his remarks are, as the Rutgers women have almost solely been associated with Don Imus since their season ended because of the media firestorm. Then there's Alec Baldwin's voice-mail tirade, where he refers to his 11-year-old daughter as a "thoughtless little pig" and vows to "straighten (her) out." Once again, media hypocrisy rears its ugly head. Ironically, so much has been said about the well-being of Baldwin's daughter while the real issue has gone ignored. Namely, how well does it serve Baldwin's daughter to not only hear her parents' dirty laundry aired in public, but also to hear the phone message repeated on television? Wouldn't most sane people say that divorce hurts children, and that the more public the divorce, the more negative the effect on the child? Bad news judgment reached its zenith with NBC's decision to air videos made by Virginia Tech killer Cho Seung-Hui. Naturally, the videos are all over YouTube. Not only was the decision to air these videos in poor taste, but it didn't serve any purpose from a news standpoint. These videos added no new information and, more importantly, gave Cho exactly what he wanted: attention. Cho died, but NBC's airing of his videos got his message out to everyone. In journalism, as much as some hate to admit it, the bottom line is still the bottom line. NBC aired these videos to get a jump on the competition, just like every news outlet jumped on them immediately afterward. Anyone who's shocked when the media does something sensational is hopelessly naive. If it bleeds, it leads and, more importantly, makes money. When the media covers stories like this, it often claims moral superiority. It proclaims outrage and to know what is best for everyone. But if the way these situations have played out is any indication, it's clear that much of the time, the media doesn't have a clue. While I'm often disgusted by what gets covered and how, I can't begrudge the news media for making a living. But if they're going to proclaim they know what is best for everyone, they should think about who their coverage is really hurting first. -- Original Source:The Daily Bruin - April 23, 2007
Today was by far the most trying day I've experienced in my life. On April 16, 2007 33 people were killed, with 15 more wounded on the Virginia Tech Campus. I know that this is likely not new information, but I repeat it just to add strength to my message. There are not words to properly express just what feelings this day has brought. Surreal doesn't even begin to describe it. I've spoken to more people on the phone today than I have in any day I can remember. The hours spent in the dorm just waiting and watching, seeing the events unfold and hearing the number of dead and wounded climb higher was the epitome of helplessness. This was a tragedy the likes of which have never been seen before, and hopefully will never be seen again. We heard it over and over again. The worst school shooting in US history, they said at first. Then, the worst mass murder in US history as the numbers climbed. Any attempt to convey the emotions and thoughts which barraged my mind today would be futile, vain, and ultimately trite. This was a dark day, near black as night. That said, I have every confidence in this university and this community. I believe this town is capable of rising to the occasion and overcoming this monumental tragedy. I have no idea what the coming days and weeks hold in store, or even the slightest notion of what will happen as time transpires. There is no set procedure for handling something of this magnitude, by sheer virtue of the fact that it has never happened. In spite of that, I feel we, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, students, faculty and staff all, and the town of Blacksburg, are capable of bonding together to lift each other over this hurdle. We will pay our dues and respects to those deceased. We MUST pay our dues and our respects. Anything less would be a mark upon our record. It is only then that we can hope to begin the rebuilding and healing process. It will be a long time before any student can step into Norris Hall without immediately drawing to mind thoughts of the events which occurred in that building today. I can only imagine what those who live on the 4th floor of West Ambler Johnston Hall must feel now, and likely for nights to come, in regards to what transpired there as well. However, as time passes and we slowly heal, these things will become easier. And until that time, if we band together, teachers and students, all majors and classes, then we will be able to carry on our work as an academic institution. That is the best way we can hope to honor the memories of those murdered here for years to come. We must continue to learn, to advance the knowledge of our society and our species, that we may continue to understand the universe in all its parts. This applies not only to this university, but to every university in the United States and the world, present and future. I leave you all with one final plea from a freshman at this university, a plea echoed from every corner of this university by every student, faculty and staff member, all who witnessed this tragedy. I beg of you, on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, and for as long afterward as you may be convinced to do so, wear any maroon and orange you can find in remembrance of those innocents slain here. To borrow from several sources throughout the day, for the sake of those lost, put aside your allegiances and college ties for at least a short time. For today, we are all Hokies. In most sincere regards and hope, Mark Malloy Virginia Tech Class of 2010 -- Author's Comments A letter to the world from me, a Virginia Tech student, regarding the events of April 16, 2007. Please spread this as far as you can. Feel free to copy it and send it to people. If you have trouble doing that here, go to my xanga site, [link] for a copy. I'd also like to thank everyone around the world who has been so supportive in this time. We are all Hokies, yesterday, today, and every day hence. -- Original submitted to deviantart.com on April 19, 2007: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53551291/
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:25:23 -0400 From: Provost@vt.edu To: Multiple recipients <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.VT.EDU> Subject: Provost Update August 17, 2007 August 17, 2007 Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues: You are probably noticing that the students are moving back to Blacksburg this week. (It is a good time to stay away from Washington Street.) The start of the fall semester is always an exciting time and we will be welcoming over 5,000 freshmen in the great new class of 2011. We will also be welcoming approximately 100 new faculty colleagues across all eight colleges. The first day of class will be a memorable adventure. Many departments and colleges have been busy this week with pre-semester retreats, planning sessions, and orientations. I realize that you are receiving multiple forms of communication about ongoing and new activities. I am going to highlight a few key issues and events recognizing that you have heard or will hear more about each of these items in different ways. 1. The three internal reviews requested by President Steger will be presented soon. James Hyatt chaired the group looking at infrastructure and security; Erv Blythe chaired the group looking at networking; and Jerry Niles chaired the group looking at the relationships among the academic, judicial, counseling, and legal systems. Each group will provide an overview of existing structures and programs and will make recommendations for enhancements. Some of the relevant items have been or are being implemented already (such as VT Alerts), and a comprehensive summary and outline of additional security enhancements was prepared by Executive Vice President James Hyatt. A note of immediate relevance to faculty instructors: the general assignment classrooms are being fitted with hardware that will allow rooms to be locked from the inside with automatic unlocking features when exiting. 2. The dedication ceremony of the memorial on the Drillfield will be held at noon on Sunday. All members of the university and extended community are invited. Faculty and student representatives will provide brief comments. 3. Human Resources and the Cook Counseling Center are coordinating efforts to provide counseling support to faculty, staff, and students next week. There will be two primary sites staffed by trained professionals: a tent on the Drillfield and Squires Student Center. Counselors will be able to travel to other locations as needed. In addition, counselors will be specifically assigned to a few key locations (including Norris Hall). In April, faculty members implemented a plan to invite a faculty colleague to attend class on the first day. The colleague was available to provide collegial support and to be available, if needed, to help with any issues that came up. The college deans' offices are helping to promote and encourage a similar system next week. Last spring we relied on the good judgment of faculty members to decide how best to address and respond to the events of April 16. We will do so again. I anticipate that most students and faculty in the classroom will be eager to focus on what we do best: teaching and learning. CEUT held some sessions for faculty this week and will have follow-up sessions over the next few weeks. Your feedback about your experiences and the experiences of the students will be helpful. 4. You have received advice about media attention early in the week. You are free to talk with the media, but you are under no obligation to do so. Also, you can decide what issues you want to discuss. You have control over who is admitted to your classrooms. 5. The "Concert for Virginia Tech" on Thursday, September 6 is going to have an impact on classes that evening. As of now, we are planning to cancel classes beginning at 5 p.m. so that all faculty, staff, and students may attend the concert if they wish. Unlike the situation with football games, the parking lots are open to regular use and no one will be expected to vacate spaces in specific lots. As provost, I am never thrilled when the regular academic schedule is affected by non-academic events. We are going through an important phase of the healing process and I hope you will embrace the positive features of this unique contribution to the Virginia Tech community. 6. One of the highlights of the academic year will be a special program that brings emphasis to our commitment to the unique responsibilities and opportunities that come from being Virginia's senior land-grant university, as well as highlights the Student Engagement component of our Strategic Plan. The program, which we are calling VT-ENGAGE, is a university-wide initiative that reaffirms our motto, Ut Prosim, by facilitating and leading opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to participate in community service, service learning, and volunteerism. During its inaugural year 2007-2008, VT-ENGAGE will honor the victims of the tragedy of April 16 and the commitment to service they demonstrated within their communities worldwide. A Steering Committee, which includes broad representation of faculty, staff, students, administrators, and community leaders, is working diligently on the planning for VT-ENGAGE. The committee has established a goal of at least 300,000 hours of service/service learning. Each member of the university community will be challenged to commit at least 10 hours during the academic year. We hope that each of you will choose to participate and that you will find creative ways to include the spirit of VT-ENGAGE in your teaching, research, and outreach. A major event will be held on the Drillfield the evening of October 16 to kick-off VT-ENGAGE. Community organizations are being invited to have displays and to sign-up volunteers. The event will be festive and feature stories of how Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff, students, and alumni make a difference in communities around the world. Much more to come. We believe VT-ENGAGE will send another positive message that Virginia Tech is a very special community with a spirit that does indeed prevail. Best wishes for a successful start to the new academic year. Mark McNamee University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
A Day of Remembrance: University events on April 16, 2008
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:21:02 -0500 From: Provost@vt.edu To: Multiple recipients <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.VT.EDU> Subject: A Day of Remembrance: University events on April 16, 2008 Thursday, February 20, 2008 Dear students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech Three weeks ago, Virginia Tech President Charles Steger established a 21-person steering committee to guide the planning of on-campus activities to be held on April 16, 2008, marking the tragedy that occurred on campus one year earlier. The planning committee included students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members, plus students and family members directly affected by the events. Provost Mark McNamee chaired the committee and Jay Poole, director of the Office of Recovery and Support (ORS), served as vice-chair. Megan Armbruster from ORS provided administrative and operational support. The committee met three times and openly discussed a range of ideas for the official university observances of the April 16, 2007 tragedy. The committee welcomed input from those who wished to contribute, and benefited greatly from the advice and support of the affected families and students. Several major decisions emerged by consensus from the committee's deliberations: April 16, 2008 will focus on the lives of the 32 innocent students and faculty members who were killed on April 16, 2007; events will be simple and respectful; opportunities will be provided for anyone who wishes to honor the memories of the victims. In the spirit of these guidelines, the following events will represent the official university commemoration of "A Day of Remembrance" on April 16, 2008. ==> 10:30 a.m. to noon: University Commemoration Event, Drillfield (rain or shine): The names of each innocent victim and a few words about the special qualities of each person will be read aloud. President Steger will welcome those assembled. (The selection of readers and the format of the readings is still a work in progress.) ==> Sundown (approximately 7:45 p.m.): Candlelight Vigil, Drillfield (rain or shine): The students of Virginia Tech will sponsor and organize a candlelight vigil beginning at sundown. The initial lighting of candles will begin by using a ceremonial candle at the university memorial site that will burn during the entire day. In addition, between noon and 5 p.m., the university will provide venues across campus where individuals or groups who may wish express or witness remembrances in the form of poetry or other readings; writing; musical or artistic performances; art creation; flower planting; or other activities including service activities. Our goal is to balance opportunities for individual, informal expression with some structured activities. Venues and formats will be announced as plans evolve. As it becomes available, all information will be posted to the "April 16, 2008: A Day of Remembrance" website (www.remembrance.vt.edu). This website will be linked to the university homepage and will become live during the week of February 25. Additional Activities The students of Virginia Tech are also sponsoring a university and community picnic on Sunday April 20, 2008 from 1 to 4 p.m. This picnic will recognize and support everyone who contributed in so many important ways to the April 16, 2007 emergency response, and the immediate and ongoing recovery and support efforts. Introductions will occur at approximately 1:30 p.m. On April 16, 2008, several private events will be organized in collaboration with the families of the deceased and the injured students. The families and injured students may choose to participate in any of the university events, but they will not be formally identified as participants. No classes will be held on April 16, 2008, but the university will be open. Faculty and staff may participate in any of the university activities if they wish to. We understand that many faculty, staff, and students do not know how they will feel or react on April 16, 2008. We urge all employees and supervisors to be flexible and to place highest priority on the health and welfare of each individual. We will view April 16, 2008 as a very special workday that will not require staff to take sick leave, personal leave, or vacation time. Some buildings will be closed and those employees will not be expected to report to work. Counseling support will be available throughout campus. Megan Armbruster from the Office of Recovery and Support will serve as the operational director for the April 16, 2008 events. She has begun her work with many university offices on logistics and support issues, and is assembling a task force for the events. All questions and suggestions should be sent to Armbruster at remembrance@vt.edu. Mark McNamee University Provost
Threat scrawled on desk chair found in Hyer Hall
By: Mark Norris, Editor In Chief, mnorris@smu.edu Posted: 4/25/07 A message scrawled on the back of a desk chair by an unknown person has prompted an investigation by SMU Police. The note says "I'm going to shoot up SMU on 8-06-07." The message was discovered Monday but was not reported to SMU Police until Tuesday morning. Authorities promptly responded, said Interim Police Chief Richard Shafer. "We have no leads and don't know who did it or why," Shafer said. The threat was discovered in Room 111 of Hyer Hall some time Monday. The professor of the class that meets there at that time reported the message to SMU Police. The message was written in pencil and still "looks fairly fresh," according to police. Shafer said the date of the threat is odd since classes are not in session at the time. The Summer II session is completed by then and the 2007-2008 school year has not begun yet. Police are looking at what classes meet in the room to determine if any names of interest appear on the class rosters. Shafer said the person who wrote the message probably has a warped sense of humor. "We don't think it's a viable or credible threat, but you never know," he said. The police investigation into the matter is still ongoing. This is the first threat made at the SMU community after the shootings at Virginia Tech. "Three weeks ago they probably wouldn't have thought about it," Shafer said. He said the police department is glad that the professor and students took the time to report the threat. He encouraged members of the SMU community to report anything they believe is suspicious. "Give us a call and someone will look into it," Shafer said. This story is exclusive to 'The Daily Campus.' Mention of this story by other media organizations must credit the paper. -- Original Source:SMU Daily Campus - April 25, 2007
"Norris, Mark William" <mnorris@mail.smu.edu>
SMU says it's ready for campus emergencies
By: Mark Norris, Editor In Chief, mnorris@smu.edu Posted: 4/17/07 SMU officials say they are prepared if an incident like the one at Virginia Tech happens here. As recently as December 2006 an active shooter scenario exercise was held according to Lee Arning, the director of emergency preparedness and business continuity. But the shootings at the Blacksburg, Va., campus have changed things. "Today's event has rewritten the rulebook," Arning said in an interview Monday evening. A gunman killed 32 people at Virginia Tech in the deadliest shooting rampage in United States history. The victims were massacred in two attacks two hours apart on opposite sides of the school's campus, with Tech's police force unable to warn anyone before the carnage ensued. It ended with the gunman committing suicide - making the final death toll 33. Arning said he would attend a meeting Tuesday morning with other administrators to discuss the incident and its ramifications for the SMU community. At SMU, in the event of such an incident, the building managers would be responsible for either locking down their buildings or taking other measures necessary to keep its occupants safe according to Arning. They could also pass along information through a network of people within each building. The next wave of communication would come electronically: via e-mail, the official university Web site and phone tree messages. Any messages could also be announced on an intercom system; however, there is not a central intercom system and not every building on campus has one to begin with. One thing that will not happen, Arning said, is police officers driving around the campus notifying people over speakers or bullhorns. He said that would make the police cars and officers targets. SMU has emergency "Lockdown/Take Cover" guidelines that Arning said he discusses during the annual campus fire drills at buildings. The guidelines say if a person perceives a threat of violence to dial 911 immediately or call SMU police at (214) 768-3333. It adds that evacuation alarms should not be sounded. It says to close, lock and barricade doors to reduce the potential risk of a violent person reaching the area where people are. The guidelines say the best way to secure oneself is by not moving around, crouching down and either getting out of sight or getting low on the floor. It says to remain silent because studies have shown that shooters will fire at things that move or make sounds. The guidelines also say to be prepared to remain in a lockdown state for an extended period of time. It will be safe to leave only when police on the scene gives an "all clear" message. "Your safety is dependent on compliance that may be uncomfortable for a little while," Arning said. Some Virginia Tech students told media outlets that the school failed to properly notify them of what was occurring and also accused the school of acting irresponsibly by not closing down the campus after the first shooting. Arning said if there were a similar incident at SMU, the school would err on the side of caution and shut down the campus. He said SMU PD, which would be the first responders to any incident on campus, has attended multi-day response training camps and would be ready for such events. Arning said it is likely SMU PD will go through more training after the events at Virginia Tech. "Their training is a strong part of their job," Arning said. The active shooter exercise held in December 2006 is another part of that training. Representatives of Highland Park PD, University Park PD, Dallas SWAT and SMU PD attended along with UP public affairs, SMU emergency management and public affairs. Arning said the scenario was based on research of previous incidents and allowed the different groups to have an idea of what it would be like to work together. At various points during the scenario, the group would stop and each agency would discuss what they would be doing at that point and how they could do their job better. "Everything is critically integrated," Arning said. After the scenario concluded the agencies discussed opportunities for improvement. Arning said the exercise was not the first one for the school, and credited SMU for continuing to refine its response to different events. He said meetings and discussions occurred twice already this semester in response to the incident at the Laura Lee Blanton Building with the suspicious envelope that wound up containing cooking powder and the meningitis infection that was on campus shortly before Spring Break. -- Original Source:SMU Daily Campus - April 18, 2007
Virginia Tech to dedicate April 16 Memorial on Sunday, August 19
By Mark Owczarski BLACKSBURG, Va., August 15, 2007 -- To coincide with the start of the new academic year, Virginia Tech will dedicate the memorial to the victims of April 16 on Sunday, August 19 at noon. At the conclusion of the approximately 30-minute ceremony, President Charles W. Steger will dedicate the new memorial site. All members of the Virginia Tech community and general public are welcome to attend. Those visiting campus for the memorial service are encouraged to park their vehicles in the parking lots located on Perry Street. While limited visitor and handicap parking spaces are available around the Drillfield, no parking will be available on the Drillfield Several water stations will be set up on the Drillfield to accommodate guests in anticipation of the warm weather. Grief counselors will also be present in the event guests seek that assistance. The dedication ceremony will be broadcast live on WDBJ-TV Channel 7 (campus cable channel 7) and can be seen in real time on the university homepage. The ceremony will begin with the presentation of colors by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets followed by the playing of the National Anthem by the Highty-Tighties, the corps' marching band. Vice President of Student Affairs Zenobia Hikes will follow with opening remarks. Speaking after her will be Adeel Khan, a junior majoring in accounting in the Pamplin College of Business and president of the (undergraduate) Student Government Association; and Joe McFadden, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Dairy Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and president of the Graduate Student Assembly. Valerie Hardcastle, professor of science and technology in society in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and president of the Faculty Senate, will follow the student leaders with remarks. Scott Cheatham, a May graduate of Virginia Tech and now a graduate student in mathematics education in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, will follow with comments on behalf of Hokies United, a student-run service organization that organized the temporary 32 Hokie Stone memorial near the Drillfield viewing stand in the hours following the April 16 tragedy. After the playing of the Virginia Tech Alma Mater by the Marching Virginians, the university's marching band, Vice President for Alumni Relations Tom Tillar will speak further on the significance of the memorial. Steger will provide concluding remarks and will dedicate the memorial. The ceremony will close with the ringing of 32 bells in memory of those who lost their lives on April 16. The public may view the memorial at the conclusion of the ceremony. It will be closed to viewing Sunday morning in preparation for the dedication ceremony. The 32 Hokie Stones used in the temporary memorial will be offered to the families of the victims. The 32 permanent stones in the new memorial are etched with the names of those who lost their lives and will be placed in the same order as they were in the temporary memorial. Those unable to attend the ceremony in person may view it on the Virginia Tech homepage. In June, Virginia Tech announced that it would construct a memorial to replace the temporary version. The new memorial is located in the same location as the temporary site. Information for the media is available in the Media Advisory for this event and for the subsequent start of the school year. Contact Mark Owczarski at maowczar@vt.edu or (540) 231-5223. ##07424## -- Original Source: Virginia Tech News http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2007&itemno=450