2007.04.17. Students gathered along the Spring Road and Merryman Center to greet the Presidential motorcade.
On Monday, April 16, 2007, I was in New Orleans at the annual conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST). This is a list of students I was able to contact between 10:08 am (when I received an email from a student indicating that he could not attend my regularly scheduled 10:10 lecture as Blacksburg Transit was not running, and then turned on CNN) and 1:30 pm. Most students were contacted through AOL Instant Messenger/I-Chat.
Aug. 20, 2007 By Claire St. Amant City editor In Texas, it isn't surprising to see cowboy hats, belt buckles and boots glistening under the sun. But there's one piece missing from the cowboy ensemble when Texans mosey on over to school campuses: a gun. According to state law, guns are banned in several places, including schools, places of worship, correction facilities, bars, sporting events and other locations. Currently, individuals with concealed handgun licenses must check their weapon at the door, but maybe not for long. In late April, Gov. Rick Perry called for "gun freedom" across Texas and said students should be allowed to protect themselves on campus. Arlington senior Andrew Sugg couldn't agree more. Sugg is the leader of the Baylor chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a national group in favor of gun freedom in schools. "I believe anyone with a CHL should be able to carry a gun everywhere," he said. "Most people don't even have to fire, just showing it is usually good enough (to control a situation)." Sugg, who has been a licensed gun carrier for almost two years, recalls a time near campus in 2005 when the mere presence of his weapon distilled a potentially dangerous individual. While Sugg was having a cup of coffee at Common Grounds, a homeless man started "aggressively" asking for money, he said. Feeling threatened, Sugg called the police, but before an officer made it to the scene, the man pulled a knife on another customer. "I drew my weapon, the guy saw me, dropped the knife and ran," Sugg said. "I just put it back in my holster and went back to my coffee." While this situation ended positively, Fair Oaks Ranch senior Alexandra Neville, president of Baylor Democrats, said she thinks gun control on and off campus are entirely different issues. "What you do with your gun on your own time and for your own protection is up to you, but college campuses have their own protective measures and having students carry guns isn't one of them," she said. Neville said students shouldn't have to worry about carrying their own gun to protect themselves because that responsibility falls more on the school and law enforcement. "It's my belief that if you're trying to solve the problem of violence on campus, the last you would want to do is allow more people to carry weapons," she said. Instead, Neville believes the problem could be combated with increased school counseling and preventive programs at an earlier age. Sugg doesn't see it that way, and said he hopes people will move past the idea that "guns are bad" and recognize how they can be good, too. "Most people who fear guns don't understand them at all," he said. "They have a Hollywood image of the gun being for the bad guy." Josh Felker, U.S. Army veteran and owner of LoneStar Handgun in Killeen, agrees with Sugg. "It's very important to expose people to guns and educate them about gun safety," he said. "Once people learn to use them, they usually aren't afraid (of guns) anymore." In response to the shooting at Virginia Tech, Felker offered a free handgun-licensing course for teachers and students from May to July. Felker said around 40 people took advantage of the promotion, and while one student traveled from Oklahoma, most participants were local. "There were quite a few Baylor students and a couple professors as well," he said. Although guns are currently banned inside school facilities, Felker said, he hopes that will change. "Law-abiding, licensed individuals should be able to carry a firearm because thugs and criminals will do it no matter what," he said. Houston senior Theresa Doll disagrees. "As an institute of higher learning, it's just not necessary to have students carrying guns," she said. "That's what law enforcement is for." Doll, a member of the Baylor Democrats, said the right to bear arms is often overstated. "Yes, we have a constitutional right to own and carry a gun," she said.""But that doesn't mean they have a place on college campuses." Doll said she worries about students carrying guns and making irrational choices. "It wouldn't make me feel safer for my roommate to have a gun," she said. "Especially not during finals when she's all stressed out." While Doll believes shooting tragedies like Virginia Tech and Columbine need to be addressed, she said the problem is with adequate police units, not armed citizens. "Supporting concealed weaponry is not the answer to the school shooting crisis," she said. -- Original Source: Baylor University http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?action=story&story=46392
Aug. 20, 2007 By Claire St. Amant City editor In Texas, it isn't surprising to see cowboy hats, belt buckles and boots glistening under the sun. But there's one piece missing from the cowboy ensemble when Texans mosey on over to school campuses: a gun. According to state law, guns are banned in several places, including schools, places of worship, correction facilities, bars, sporting events and other locations. Currently, individuals with concealed handgun licenses must check their weapon at the door, but maybe not for long. In late April, Gov. Rick Perry called for "gun freedom" across Texas and said students should be allowed to protect themselves on campus. Arlington senior Andrew Sugg couldn't agree more. Sugg is the leader of the Baylor chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a national group in favor of gun freedom in schools. "I believe anyone with a CHL should be able to carry a gun everywhere," he said. "Most people don't even have to fire, just showing it is usually good enough (to control a situation)." Sugg, who has been a licensed gun carrier for almost two years, recalls a time near campus in 2005 when the mere presence of his weapon distilled a potentially dangerous individual. While Sugg was having a cup of coffee at Common Grounds, a homeless man started "aggressively" asking for money, he said. Feeling threatened, Sugg called the police, but before an officer made it to the scene, the man pulled a knife on another customer. "I drew my weapon, the guy saw me, dropped the knife and ran," Sugg said. "I just put it back in my holster and went back to my coffee." While this situation ended positively, Fair Oaks Ranch senior Alexandra Neville, president of Baylor Democrats, said she thinks gun control on and off campus are entirely different issues. "What you do with your gun on your own time and for your own protection is up to you, but college campuses have their own protective measures and having students carry guns isn't one of them," she said. Neville said students shouldn't have to worry about carrying their own gun to protect themselves because that responsibility falls more on the school and law enforcement. "It's my belief that if you're trying to solve the problem of violence on campus, the last you would want to do is allow more people to carry weapons," she said. Instead, Neville believes the problem could be combated with increased school counseling and preventive programs at an earlier age. Sugg doesn't see it that way, and said he hopes people will move past the idea that "guns are bad" and recognize how they can be good, too. "Most people who fear guns don't understand them at all," he said. "They have a Hollywood image of the gun being for the bad guy." Josh Felker, U.S. Army veteran and owner of LoneStar Handgun in Killeen, agrees with Sugg. "It's very important to expose people to guns and educate them about gun safety," he said. "Once people learn to use them, they usually aren't afraid (of guns) anymore." In response to the shooting at Virginia Tech, Felker offered a free handgun-licensing course for teachers and students from May to July. Felker said around 40 people took advantage of the promotion, and while one student traveled from Oklahoma, most participants were local. "There were quite a few Baylor students and a couple professors as well," he said. Although guns are currently banned inside school facilities, Felker said, he hopes that will change. "Law-abiding, licensed individuals should be able to carry a firearm because thugs and criminals will do it no matter what," he said. Houston senior Theresa Doll disagrees. "As an institute of higher learning, it's just not necessary to have students carrying guns," she said. "That's what law enforcement is for." Doll, a member of the Baylor Democrats, said the right to bear arms is often overstated. "Yes, we have a constitutional right to own and carry a gun," she said.""But that doesn't mean they have a place on college campuses." Doll said she worries about students carrying guns and making irrational choices. "It wouldn't make me feel safer for my roommate to have a gun," she said. "Especially not during finals when she's all stressed out." While Doll believes shooting tragedies like Virginia Tech and Columbine need to be addressed, she said the problem is with adequate police units, not armed citizens. "Supporting concealed weaponry is not the answer to the school shooting crisis," she said. -- Original Source: The Lariat http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?action=story&story=46392
Julie Freeman (Julie_Freeman@baylor.edu)
Students Hold Vigil for Va. Tech Victims
By David Xia PUBLISHED APRIL 18, 2007 Approximately 300 students, faculty, and administrators gathered together at the sundial last night for a candlelight vigil held in memory of the 32 victims of the Virginia Tech shootings. University Chaplain Jewelnel Davis delivered a message of inspiration and hope to those gathered at the base of the sundial. Davis said that during this time of national mourning, it was crucial for members of the Columbia community to band together in solidarity and offer their condolences and prayers to those grieving over Virginia Tech. "Life will always overcome the darkness of hate, despair, and violence," Davis said. The undergraduate student councils provided 1,500 white candles, according to Ana Ortiz, CC '07 and Columbia College Student Council vice president of campus life, who spoke at the event. As the candles were lit and the flames passed along in silent respect, those in attendance exchanged glances of support. "We who believe in learning believe in hope," Davis said. "Light, when it is shared, overcomes darkness and spreads more light." Only the soft pattering of the drizzling rain was audible as attendees, heads lowered in respect, observed a moment of silence. Ortiz stated the names of the 32 students who were killed. "One great thing about the Columbia community is that when a horrible incident like this happens, we are able to come together as a family," Dean of Student Affairs Chris Colombo said after the event. For Mark Johnson, CC '09 and vice president of the CCSC class of 2009, the shootings in Blacksburg, Va. struck very close to home. Johnson, whose hometown is Virginia Beach, said it was unsettling to see such a tragedy occur at a place he considers home. "I'm happy we had something like this. It allowed me to vent," he said. -- Photo By: Key Nguyen Original Source: Columbia Spectator http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/24914
Students Lie Down to Stand Up for What's Right
published: May 01 2008 06:01 PM updated:: May 01 2008 06:15 PM University of Tennessee students who took their usual walk to their midday classes on April 16th, may have encountered a strange sight: 32 students dressed in all black laying down on pedestrian walkway. This 'lie down' was organized in remembrance of the victims of last years Virginia Tech school shooting as well as to protest easy gun laws. The Virginia Tech massacre was the deadliest mass shooting to date, and consisted of two separate attacks approximately two hours apart on April 16, 2007, which took place on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia. The gunman, Seung-Hui Cho ended his shooting rampage by committing suicide. Jesse Matton, a UT sophomore from Northern Virginia organized the event. She extended invitations to people she knew and made a facebook group to advertise the event. She states: "I did it because I really wanted people to remember the victims and how much it effected all the students at tech." She recruited 32 participants, one to represent each victim of the Virginia tech shooting, for a three-minute lie down in the middle of the public walkway. She says, "We laid down for three minutes because that is the amount of time it takes to buy a gun in the U.S" Matton's desire to organize this event came largely from the death of her friend, Reema Samaha, a victim of the Virginia Tech school shooting. A participant of the lie down, Sondra Ortagus, also a sophomore at UT and a long time friend of Matton says: "It was a very hard thing to look back on. I am glad we did it because hopefully people will start to realize that guns are too easy to get nowadays. Laws should be tighter so that incidences like Virginia Tech don't happen again." Despite the many easy gun laws that are still being protested, the VT school shooting did lead to some tightening of gun regulations. The massacre led to rapid changes in Virginia law that had allowed Cho to illegally purchase handguns without detection by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Furthermore. It prompted the first major federal gun control measure in more than 13 years. President, George W. Bush, signed a law that strengthens the NICS on January 5, 2008. One of the outstanding issues with gun control laws is the gap between state gun laws and federal gun laws. In Virginia for example, one can legally purchase one handgun every 30 days with valid proof of residency. A 1968 federal law prohibits those considered "mentally unsound" from buying handguns. Cho, having been declared a danger to himself by a court in 2005, did not meet this condition of mental stability and should not have been able to obtain the two semi-automatic pistols he used in the massacre. The state of Virginia failed to report Cho's mental health to the federally mandated NICS demonstrating an error in the system. Virginia Governor, Timothy Kaine, addressed this issue on April 30th declaring the importance of closing this reporting gap. Discussion still rages about US gun laws in all states. The strength of background checks is in question as well as states ability to regulate gun laws successfully. Further discussion is geared towards school safety in light of the presence of a handgun on Virginia Techs campus, which prohibits weapons. Of the 16 states that currently ban guns on college campuses, Several are weighing legislation to allow gun permit holders to carry concealed firearms. In March of 2008, so shortly after the terrible tragedy at VT Delegate Gilbert of Virginia attempted to pass a law allowing for concealed carry on college campuses. This demonstrates that the fight for tighter gun laws is far from over, according to Matton, it is just beginning. -- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Original Source: http://tnjn.com/2008/may/01/students-lie-down-to-stand-up-/
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By Amanda Erickson PUBLISHED APRIL 16, 2007 Columbians across campus expressed shock and outrage over the violent rampage on Virginia Tech's campus that left at least 32 students dead yesterday, the deadliest shooting attack in the country's history. Students took a break from their daily routines to watch gruesome coverage, mourn, and show support as details were released. "It's something that really has touched every single student at this campus," said Dan Okin, SEAS '07 and Engineering Student Council president. The shooter, described as an young man of Asian descent, opened fire in a Virginia Tech dorm at around 7:15 in the morning, killing one student and a resident adviser. Two and a half hours later, the man entered an academic building and moved ruthlessly from classroom to classroom, firing at students and faculty with two handguns, the Washington Post reported. "I'm really at a loss for words to explain or to understand the carnage that has visited our campus," Charles W. Steger, president of Virginia Tech, told the Post. Several Columbia students and all four of the undergraduate councils scrambled to pull together prayer services and candlelight vigils to express their grief and show their sympathy. "It's a tragedy and I feel like any show of my support is important," said Justin Leung, CC '09. Leung and several other students will attend a prayer service in Lerner Hall today at 7 a.m. The impromptu service, which was advertised via Facebook invitation, aims to bring together students "whatever your religion, faith, belief, or background ... [to] show our support together to those who really need it right now." The undergraduate student councils are working together to organizing a candlelight vigil for Wednesday night after sundown. Seth Flaxman, CC '07 and Columbia College Student Council president, said that the councils wanted to put together an event that would enable the University to come together. "I've had so many conversations with students who are upset by this," Flaxman said. "I feel like this is the least we can do." -- Original Source: Columbia Spectator http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/24863
Students mourn, talk about safety after Va. Tech shootings
By Dawn Witlin/Chronicle Staff Cambridge Chronicle Thu Apr 19, 2007, 01:30 PM EDT Cambridge - While some MIT students mourned the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings at a Wednesday prayer service, others reflected upon campus safety. A gunman, identified as student Cho Seung-Hui, opened fire on classrooms and a dormitory at Virginia Tech Monday, killing as least 30 students and professors. "I think it's pretty safe here," said MIT student and Virginia native Mariam Candid. "You would never imagine it would happen at any universities. I have friends that go there who lost friends and I am just trying to be there to help out." Cantabrigia blog: What do you think? The prayer service was held at the MIT chapel, where the institute's Chaplain Robert Randolph read the names of the dead as mourners lined up to light a single candle in their memory. "It's very saddening and scary, that seems to be the case for everyone," said MIT freshman Christine Bognet. "We're all just trying to keep our heads up...life has to go on." Harvard and MIT officials said they're prepared for a disaster similar to what happened at Virginia Tech last week. Although Joe Wrinn, spokesman for Harvard University, would not comment on security protocol, he said there are many tools at the disposal of Harvard Police. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etCWbT6bPRM "For obvious reasons, we do not comment on security details, if security details were known it would compromise security efforts," said Wrinn. "I can tell you that there are many tools that would be used in the case of a major emergency." Wrinn said Harvard students have access to emergency information through a 24-hour phone number, 617-496-NEWS. "You have reached four-nine-six news, Harvard's weather emergency and special conditions phone line," said the message left Thursday. "There are no special conditions to report today." Another tool used by Harvard to notify students of an emergency is blast e-mails and voicemails, sent to all students in case of a major emergency. "We've done that a couple of times with a campus announcement or a message from the dean," said Wrinn. "The houses have listservs and e-mail networks ... a housemaster at Harvard can communicate directly to students." Patty Richards, spokesman for MIT, also wouldn't release the details of the campus security methods, but said there are a myriad of tactics for reaching students during an emergency. "We have very comprehensive emergency plans; we've always had them for any kind of emergency," said Richards. "We have plans for just about every situation, even working on the pandemic flu." Richards said MIT Police, along with the school's department of environmental health and safety, facilities and staff, all work in tandem during an emergency. "I've heard discussions among them that people have been looking at those [emergency] plans in light of what happened in Virginia," said Richards. "Kind of like, what can we learn from this?" A service for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings was also held at Harvard University's Memorial Church Thursday evening. - dwitlin@cnc.com -- Original Source: Cambridge Chronicle http://www.townonline.com/cambridge/homepage/x1721527458 Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5.
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Students of Virginia Tech Prepared for the Memorials
On April 19, the Virginia Tech Association of Chinese Students and Scholars(VT-ACSS) organized a donation for the victims on the drillfield.
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
Students rally against religious protestors at Tech funerals
Online groups decrying anti-gay protestors grow rapidly Max Hall, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor Students across the nation are taking to Facebook in response to planned anti-gay protests at the funerals of Virginia Tech shooting victims. Shirley Phelps-Roper, attorney for the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., confirmed that the organization is planning to protest at the funerals of Tech students killed in Monday's shootings. Virginia Tech junior Victor Kasoff expressed his anger at WBC leader Fred Phelps' decision to protest. Virginia Tech "should do anything in their power to stop this guy from coming," Kasoff said. At press time, one open Facebook group, "Stop Fred Phelps & WBC from protesting at fallen VT students funerals!!," created to stop the WBC funeral protests had 32,923 members and had at one point gained more than 1,000 new members in an hour. Phelps-Roper placed the blame for the Tech killings on tolerance for homosexuality, saying the attack was a result of "those young people sitting in their classrooms being taught rebellion against God [and] being taught that God is a liar ... He says 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind,' and you're teaching it. That's a lie: It's OK to be gay." Kasoff said he found these claims to be absurd and offensive. "The fact that [Phelps] thinks my friends, my Hokies, died because of America's decision to let people make their own decisions completely sickens me, and I hope they do everything in their power to stop him." J.T. Segal, University Queer Student Union President-elect, echoed a similar sentiment, saying no one was to blame for Monday's tragedy other than the gunman. Northwestern University senior Zak Kirchner, a member of the Facebook group, described the outpouring of support for Virginia Tech at Northwestern and his outrage toward Phelps and the WBC. "As a Christian, it infuriated me," Kirchner said. "He's an overzealous hate-mongerer. He gives all the Christians out there who are praying and being as supportive as we can a bad name." Kirchner suggested busing students from surrounding universities to the funerals of Tech students, saying a large showing by students might discourage the protesters and convince them to leave. "I wish I were closer so that I could join the efforts in person," Kirchner said. Rachel Skytt, a junior at the University of California, Davis who is also member of the group, said she was familiar with Fred Phelps and the WBC from their protests at funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq. "The families and friends of the victims are going through so much right now and it just makes me sick that Fred Phelps wants to cause these people even more pain," Skytt said. "I just hope that the students can counter-protest in a peaceful way, because you can't fight hate with more hate." Kasoff said he hoped such Facebook groups would successfully mobilize students against Phelps' organization. "I don't want anyone who thinks like that to step anywhere near my campus," Kasoff said. "After what's happened we don't need to have to deal with morons like him." -- Original Source:The Cavalier Daily - April 20, 2007
Students show support for Virginia Tech with photo
By: KAY OYEGUN Staff Writer Posted: 4/23/07 Colleges all across America have come together to show support to the Virginia Tech students after the shootings that occurred there on April 16. Pitt organized a student support group photo outside the Petersen Events Center on Friday April 20 at 4 p.m. "The university came behind SGB, traditions committee, greek life and Student Alumni Association and helped spread the word for this event," Nora Duncan of the Athletics Department said. An estimated 300 students dressed in Hokie orange and maroon and gathered in the Petersen lobby before getting the group photo taken. At exactly 4:02 p.m., the crowd of supporters, which included Petersen Events Center staff and members of the Athletics Department, collectively made their way outside to the panther statue by the event center. "I am here just to support the Hokies. The whole thing affected my life," junior John Hollenberger said. "We are college students and that could have happened anywhere. I think its good that everyone pulls together to support those schools states away." Although the reason for the gathering was a tragic one, there were smiles and playful chatter all across the crowd as they took their places for the photo. Students climbed up on the University panther, crouched together at its side and sat on the pavement in front while the rest stood close by. The cameraman gingerly climbed to the top of his ladder and coached the students on how to pose. More and more students in orange and maroon shirts flowed in to join the picture. "Are we supposed to smile?" a girl from the crowd called out. The crowd was then instructed to smile for the photo and say "Hokies" instead of the classic "cheese." The coordinator counted down from three, the crowd yelled "Hokies" in unison, and he took the photo. In fact, this process was repeated five or six times. Those who gathered for the group photo decided to come out and show support for various reasons. "I am used to this sort of tragedy," Josh Wander, a graduate student in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, said. "I am from Israel, so things like this happen all the time. I was especially touched by the Romanian professor - Liviu Librescu - and Holocaust survivor who risked his life to save his students." Some supporters made their way to Pitt's campus from other schools and decided to join in. There was no shortage of students willing to wear the orange and maroon for the Virginia Tech Hokies. "My school is 45 minutes from Blacksburg. Liberty is showing support even though we are athletic rivals with the Hokies," Jennifer Trujillo, a Liberty University grad, said. "We really are just one family, supporting and praying. It hit home especially being so close." A campus-wide vigil will be held on Monday, April 23 at 8:30 p.m. on the Cathedral lawn. Students and faculty are encouraged to attend this event to show support, share condolences and say prayers for the families and community affected by the Virginia Tech tragedy. -- Original Source:The Pitt News - April 23, 2007
By Annie Augustine Friday, April 20, 2007 This weekend, 35 cancer survivors will join nearly 1,000 UCLA students and community members for a 24-hour relay to raise money for the disease. UCLA's Relay For Life is planned to take place in Drake Stadium from Saturday at 1 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Ninety-six teams have signed up, and participants will include UCLA students, students from L.A. high schools and Westwood community members. At UCLA's Relay For Life, the survivors who are attending will walk or run alongside participants. Brittany Maxwell, the mission delivery director for UCLA's Relay For Life, said the relay's opening ceremony will encourage and motivate participants. "A cancer survivor is planning to speak before the relay begins and survivors will walk the first lap around the stadium while all other participants stand inside the track to cheer them on," she said Eric Lam, a first-year mechanical engineering student who started Relay For Life at his high school and is the captain of two UCLA teams this year, said being involved in Relay For Life is a fun way to help a good cause. "At the ceremony you get to meet survivors and it is inspirational to watch them take the first lap," he said. Teams will spend the entire night in Drake Stadium with the goal of keeping one person from each team on the track at all times. The American Cancer Society's annual Relay For Life began because of the efforts of one man. According to the Relay For Life Web site, Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash., wanted to increase the income of his local American Cancer Society office. In May of 1985, Klatt spent 24 hours circling a track at the University of Puget Sound, covering more than 83 miles and raising nearly $27,000. The following year, 19 teams took part in the first Relay For Life event and raised nearly $33,000. Now more than 3.5 million people partake in 4,800 Relay For Life events nationwide each year, and in 2006, the UCLA Relay For Life raised over $60,000. According to the Web site, the purpose of Relay For Life is to celebrate cancer survivors, honor those who have lost their lives to the disease, and raise money to help fight it. "I had a couple of chances to participate in high school, but never actually did. I just thought that this would be a good opportunity and the people on my (residence hall) floor encouraged me," said Alex Yang, a first-year undeclared student. Maxwell said each participant is encouraged to raise $100 before Saturday. All participants who raise $100 will be given free food and T-shirts at the relay. Yaoyao Wang, a first-year undeclared student, said she used Facebook to help raise funds. "After fundraising for Dance Marathon, I couldn't ask my parents' friends for more money. I created a Facebook group to get donations from students," she said. Several bands, including Mikey G and Dan from Danville, will be performing at the relay. Maxwell also said there will be a variety of games for teams to participate in throughout the night. Relay For Life will be held at many schools around the country this weekend, including Virginia Tech. In a statement released by Mary Vaughn Smith, the event chair for Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, said the school would hold the event despite Monday's shootings. "We've decided to move forward with the Relay For Life because this is a time when we just want to make sure that this event - with a focus on celebration of life and hope - is available to all those who need it in our community," she said. Many colleges throughout the country have posted encouraging messages on the "Relay For Life at Virginia Tech Forum." -- Original Source:The Daily Bruin - April 20, 2007
SEVILLE, Spain - The news of the 33 deaths in Blacksburg, Va., on Monday spread a sobering cloud over the UNC students studying in this traditional Spanish city. Here, where the streets still shut down for the sacred midday siesta, students have pulled themselves away from the news on their computers and have begun to speak with foreign friends and host families about the Virginia Tech shootings. In places around the world, UNC students are seeing the foreign reaction to the violence at home. Some of the 436 University students abroad have found that the attacks did not surprise their non-American acquaintances as much as they surprised themselves. "This has happened so many times in the U.S.," said Kristin Haug, a student from Oslo, Norway, in reference to the Columbine shooting. "It's just so weird that it's still so easy to get a weapon." Her friends, all Norwegians in Spain for the semester, nodded in agreement outside the school building they share with UNC students. International media have spotlighted the shootings. On Wednesday, two days after 23-year-old senior Cho Seung-Hui opened fire on Va. Tech's campus, the events were still on the front pages of newspapers in Paris, Dublin, London, Israel, Turkey, Dubai and Iran. But the impact has not resounded with most foreigners in the same way it's hit Americans abroad. Norwegian students here called the shootings, with no intentional callousness, "typically American." Michael Turner, a junior from Elizabeth City, first heard of the shootings when he turned on Al Jazeera in Jordan. He stated in an e-mail that local coverage depicted the violence as part of a trend. "I don't expect it comes off that way in American media, and it certainly doesn't in my mind," he stated. UNC sophomore Rosanne Niforos, a former advertising representative for The Daily Tar Heel, was in Puebla, Mexico, when she saw news about the shootings online. Lacking her cell phone, she waited for a friend at Va. Tech to change his Facebook.com status to show he was safe. Now Niforos is watching the reaction on her Mexican campus. Much of the student community there has used the incident to examine U.S. policies in general. "There are already posters up on campus with pictures of Va. Tech victims being carried out of Norris Hall and then an image superimposed next to it of President Bush, dressed in militant clothes, bullets and a machine gun," she stated in an e-mail. "I haven't seen many of those, but they are there." UNC students have said non-Americans have asserted that this type of shooting could not happen in their home country. Some, like the Norwegian students, blamed U.S. gun control laws and pointed out that in many European countries, citizens cannot own handguns and that in some places, even police officers do not carry guns. On ElPais.com, a poll of the day asked readers if there should be more gun control in the U.S. As of Wednesday morning, 93 percent of the 5,790 responders said "yes." "When people here see this happen, they're really shocked," Spaniard Celeste Castellanos Calvo said. "They see it as an American thing." -- Original Source: Daily Tar Heel - April 19, 2007
By: Amanda Younger, Staff Writer Posted: 4/23/07 Ardent UNC men's basketball fans stood aghast at a January defeat at the hands of Virginia Tech, cringing at the sight of any reminder of their Virginian foes. But for one day, students traded their Tar Heel blue for Hokie maroon and orange. "Today we're all Hokies," senior Liz Oden said while donning Va. Tech colors Friday as part of National Orange and Maroon Effect Day. Organized by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the day was designed to honor the 32 victims of the April 16 campus shooting and to provide a sense of community for those attempting to return to normalcy after the tragedy. "It's one of the littlest things you can do," said Whitney Pilson, a sophomore communications major. "I was really proud of our community for binding together." Support will continue at noon today as students across the nation plan to commemorate the one-week anniversary of the tragedy with a moment of silence. Student Body President Eve Carson is encouraging UNC students to gather in the Pit for a moment of reflection. Chicago maroon and burnt orange - Va. Tech's school colors for more than a century - have become synonymous with the university. Orange and Maroon Effect Day began as a tradition to support the school's athletic teams, but Friday it became a way to unite alumni and students across the nation. "I have a lot of friends that go to Virginia Tech, and I felt that it was the least I could do," said Emily Bisker, a sophomore biology major. Carson said the tragedy has impacted the UNC community significantly on both a personal and institutional level. She said that the similarities between Va. Tech and UNC, including both schools' rabid sports fans and size, make the tragedy hit much closer to home. "The tragedy at Virginia Tech was so affecting for students across the nation because it could have happened anywhere," Carson said. Freshman George Drometer, whose friend was asleep in West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall when the first shooting took place, said it's important for UNC to be active in helping Va. Tech students. "I really feel we need to step it up and show our support," he said. Having attended Wednesday's candlelight vigil in memory of those affected by the tragedy, Drometer said he felt a sense of community emerging on a campus fewer than 300 miles away from Va. Tech. But this proximity also has led many students to feel a tangible connection to the plight of Va. Tech. "It opens people to the perspective that we're very fortunate it didn't happen here," said Princeston Crisp, a freshman business major. As those affected by the events at Va. Tech seek solace, Jessi Kemp, a junior sociology major, said she is confident that every effort to raise awareness and show support to Va. Tech is important. "It's a subtle, 'We're thinking about you.'" -- Original Source: The Daily Tar Heel - April 23, 2007
SU community reacts to Virginia Tech massacre
By: Melissa Daniels Posted: 4/17/07 The doors to Hendricks Chapel remained open on Monday, with a candle lit at the end of an aisle. Chaplains were available throughout the day, willing to talk to anyone who wished to enter. The Virginia Tech shooting on Monday caused widespread raw emotion throughout the country, and Syracuse University was not exempt. "Everybody's hearts are going out to Virginia Tech today," said Dean of Hendricks Chapel Thomas Wolfe. "This is a monumental disaster, a tragedy that has befallen them." An unidentified gunman opened fire in a Virginia Tech dorm in the morning, beginning the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history. By the end of the day, the death toll reached 33, including the death of the gunman himself. Sources had varying reports throughout the day about whether the gunman committed suicide or if he was killed by police. A two-hour gap between shootings raised the possibility of more than one shooter. Wolfe is also co-chair of the Critical Incident Management Team. The group touched base this morning after hearing about the shootings. The team, which focuses on human response in tragic events, encouraged contacting the counseling center and reflecting in Hendricks for students who may have been affected emotionally by the shooting. "When something like this happens," he said, "the whole university community feels it." Chancellor Nancy Cantor sent a letter to the president of Virginia Tech, extending Syracuse University's sympathies. Wolfe described the letter as "a very genuine gesture." "The higher education world is a very connected world," he said. Interim Chief of Public Safety Tony Callisto said SU is prepared for unexpected violent incidents like Monday's events at Virginia Tech as best as it can be. "Every incident results in learning for the next time," he said. Public Safety officers are trained in active shooting scenarios in case they would ever need to go after an armed suspect, Callisto said. They are also all trained as peace officers, meaning they are armed. Active shooting scenario training was created a year after the 1999 school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., which resulted in 15 fatalities. "Officers are very proactive," Callisto said. "There are eight to 10 officers that patrol Syracuse University grounds 24 hours a day." SU has close ties with the Syracuse Police Department, he said. "Response is relatively immediate," said Callisto about reaction in a crisis situation. Public Safety also has in-service training with the Office of Residence Life in the case of an assailant entering a dorm. On-duty resident advisers and residential security aides (RSAs) are instructed to call Public Safety if they see anything suspicious. RSAs have hand-held radios that are connected to Public Safety and Syracuse police lines. "Prevention is the best tool," Callisto said. "If you see something that's unusual, call us. If you see something that doesn't look right, call us. If something looks suspicious in any way, call us." Student response to the event is widespread. The constant television news coverage and Internet postings let the word spread about the event as updates came in. Anna Hadingham, president of the Student Peace Action Network at SU, expressed her concern about the recent violence. "It worries me that a student would have a reason or feel a need to unleash that," she said. "We are looking and exposing ourselves to chaos and carnage." -- Original Source:The Daily Orange - April 17, 2007
SU must bolster security efforts in light of shootings at Virginia Tech
By: Kris Miller Posted: 4/19/07 How do you think Syracuse University would respond to a shooting like the one at Virginia Tech? What could we do differently to make ourselves safer? These questions must be addressed immediately. The university is working diligently to strengthen campus security. Nevertheless, students must sustain pressure on Chancellor Nancy Cantor until emergency response systems are more robust and better integrated. To that end, technology is critical, especially when fewer than 20 public safety officers are on patrol at any time. These officers are responsible for the safety of more than 19,000 students. The chancellor wants SU's endowment to reach $2 billion. Awesome. But I say a significant portion of SU's budget should fund technologies including closed circuit cameras (CCTV) and mass-alert communications systems. As a law student senator, I was concerned when I learned last fall that CCTV systems were not prevalent on campus. Public Safety was also concerned, and to its credit, a vigorous effort is under way to overhaul security technologies on campus. Tony Callisto, the Interim Director of Public Safety, informed me that SU recently hired Mike Kearns to be Manager of Technology and Security Services, which is a new position. Mr. Kearns is a 12-year veteran of the Oswego police force and holds a masters degree in information technology. The chancellor also formed a CCTV committee, which recently examined IT security practices at similarly situated universities. The committee identified 14 priorities for upgrading security technology on campus, but details have not been released yet. SU's challenge is to fully integrate existing CCTV systems. Concurrently, SU is working to expand its network and ensure that all systems are managed from its central monitoring station. The ultimate goal is to share this data with other emergency services like the Syracuse Police Department. This raises another key issue: interoperability. Anyone who has participated in a mass-casualty exercise confesses that interagency communication is a challenge, and it always needs improvement. Public Safety, SUNY ESF, SUNY Medical Center, VA Security and the Syracuse Police Department share a joint communications frequency called "Hill Net." Callisto said Public Safety intends to add three more joint communications channels to improve cooperation. Would any of this matter? In Monday's tragedy, thermal and infrared CCTV systems (which are not expensive) could have identified the shooter and his actions. He entered the dorm at a low-traffic hour. When he departed, the heat signature from his pistol might have disclosed his M.O. With this information, emergency responders could have reacted more quickly and tracked him, preventing the massacre three hours later. On 9/11 I became the force protection/anti-terrorism officer for one of Southern Germany's largest and least-secured military housing areas. Initially, I had 12 soldiers per shift to protect thousands of residents and a large infrastructure. We used CCTV, including thermal and infra-red imaging, to identify threats. This technology was extremely valuable. Could a shooting happen here? This campus abuts one of Syracuse's most economically depressed and dangerous neighborhoods. Students face multiple armed robberies and assaults each month. Even our own students appear capable of violence. Brian Shaw was sentenced to 21 years for manslaughter, and Timothy Ginocchetti is charged with second-degree murder. The chancellor deserves credit for initiating campus security upgrades. It is our duty as students to make sure she follows through. Kris Miller is a contributing columnist whose columns appear biweekly in The Daily Orange. E-mail him at kimill01@syr.edu. -- Original Source:The Daily Orange - April 19, 2007
Its seems very unfair to be caught in something as sad as what happened April 16th. Its a sad world though it seems and most people are to caught up in their own lives to take notice. Think of all the accomplishments that will not be made to society because of these people being struck down in the prime of their lives. All the lost times and stories about these people as to who they were and who and what they may have become are lost now, but they would have filled millions of books and all that is gone, never to be told.
By: Benjamin Lammers Posted: 8/7/07 More than 350 representatives from Ohio's universities met at Ohio State's Fawcett Center last week to discuss school safety and the state of security and disaster response. Following the shootings at Virginia Tech last spring, Gov. Ted Strickland created a task force to look at the disaster preparedness of Ohio's universities. The task force, composed of representatives from Ohio's schools, has been meeting regularly to review campus safety and advise the governor on campus security. The Ohio College Campus Safety and Security Summit was a result of the task force's recommendations. Security experts from a number of schools spoke at the summit, including Col. Steven Flaherty, superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Strickland said in a press release campus security in Ohio is the primary responsibility of the state's schools. He asked how the state of Ohio can assist college campuses to improve security and safety in both public and private universities. Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut said universal participation, including professors and students, is needed to maintain public safety. "We have learned that there is no simple cookie-cutter solution that fits all, and that we shouldn't expect that there are any simple, one-size-fits-all, quick fixes when it comes to this issue," he said in a press release. Ohio's colleges and universities were directed to complete the "Ohio Campus Security Checklist" for the Board of Regents by Aug. 24, which will outline actions each university needs to take during the long haul to improve security. Questions in the checklist include coordination, communication, support mobilization to disasters and protocols for identifying and addressing dangerous behavior by students, faculty and staff. Todd Stewart, director of the OSU Program for International and Homeland Security, said the purpose of the summit was not to focus only on shooting scenarios and acts of violence, but to include response to natural disasters. Fingerhut did not limit the discussion to human-caused disasters like the one at Virginia Tech. "This task force may have been instituted as a reaction to the shootings at Virginia Tech, but this summer we are talking about making sure that Ohio college campuses are ready for all kinds of critical incidents," Fingerhut said. Rick Amweg, assistant chief of University Police at OSU, said the summit was a great chance to learn from other institutions by discussing common goals for campus security. Amweg said OSU's security response plan is in good shape. "We were very prepared before Virginia Tech and continue to be prepared," he said. However, Amweg said the tragedy at Virginia Tech highlighted the need for new emergency communication procedures. He said the information from the meeting will be used by the Board of Regents to identify the best practices Ohio universities can use to prepare themselves. Stewart said OSU has made a considerable effort in preparedness. "Ohio State is in better shape than most schools in the state because we have more resources available," he said. Benjamin Lammers can be reached at lammers.62@osu.edu. -- Original Source:The Lantern - August 7, 2007
UNC community feels connected to Va. Tech Hokie maroon and orange dotted the solemn crowd Tuesday night as hundreds from the Carolina community turned out in support of their peers at Virginia Tech. At a candlelight vigil organized by three UNC students from Northern Virginia, students, faculty and residents gathered in the Pit, on its steps and stood 10 deep in places outside it, many sporting ribbons with Va. Tech colors. Speakers and audience members expressed the need for community, both within UNC and also with all college students nationwide. "This is the time when, for all our words, we are speechless, when our fears trump our hopes," said Jan Rivero, campus minister of the Wesley Campus Ministry. "It is times like this when we need each other the most." Counselors from Counseling and Wellness were circulating the crowd in case of a need. Students were invited to write messages on posters that will be sent to Va. Tech. The posters will be in the Pit until the end of this week. Messages ranged from expressions of love for specific individuals to solidarity with the "Hokie nation" to "It could have been us" - an idea that seemed to be on the minds of many. "Virginia Tech is a lot like Carolina," said Margaret Jablonski, vice chancellor for student affairs, citing traits ranging from campus geography to each school's rabid sports fans. These similarities caused many students to wonder if a situation similar to the tragic shooting by a Va. Tech senior characterized as a loner that left 33 dead - including the shooter, Cho Seung-Hui - could happen here. "No campus is immune from what happened yesterday at Virginia Tech," Chancellor James Moeser said in a Tuesday press release addressed to the Carolina community. "Just as we always do in the wake of a security issue on this campus, we also will learn from the Va. Tech tragedy." Stephanie Berman, Skylar Gudas and Alison Linas, the Northern Virginia natives who organized the event, led the gathering in lighting candles as an expression of community. "As we pass the flame let us be silent and reflect on these events and remember our peers in Blacksburg," Linas said. Student Body President Eve Carson urged students to carry the feelings of community and solidarity forward. "We need to keep this culture of peace at the forefront of our mind." Chelsea Stahr, Va. Tech class of 2005, who sported maroon and orange from head to toe said she was encouraged by the UNC response. "I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support that UNC and all other schools have shown, and it just made it a lot easier." Stahr, who now lives and works in the area, commended Va. Tech for how it's coped with the situation. "The amount of support that they have shown the students and the amount of unity the students have shown ... that's what's going to get us through this," she said. Winston Crisp, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, said counselors and representatives from the dean of students office and various campus ministries were available to students Tuesday in the Union. He said his office will evaluate the situation today to see if a similar need exists. "We want to make it easy for students," he said, also citing the availability of counselors with walk-in hours in Counseling and Wellness, the office of the dean of students, community directors, resident advisers and faculty members. Campus Y Director Virginia Carson said that difficult times show what's truly important. "Our values are connecting with each other," she said, urging students to reach out to those most directly affected by the shootings. "They need you a little more now than they did yesterday." -- Original Source:Daily Tar Heel - April 18, 2007