Statement by Virginia Tech Board of Visitors regarding the Virginia Tech Action Plan
description: By Jacob Lutz BLACKSBURG, Va., September 23, 2007 -- Following the release of the Report of the Virginia Tech Review Panel on August 30, 2007 and three separate internal review reports, Virginia Tech President Charles Steger and senior administrators have led an effort to examine the recommendations contained in these reports with the goal of meshing them and adopting best practices and procedures for all relevant areas on a forward-looking basis. The Board believes that goal was accomplished in the development of the Virginia Tech Action Plan presented today at a special meeting of the Board of Visitors. The Virginia Tech Action Plan sets forth the process of tracking all recommendations made from these reports and determining priorities, internal responsibility, procedures for evaluation, alternative solutions, action timelines, and financial analysis. The recommendations included in the Virginia Tech Action Plan are extensive and implementation will require substantial effort and expense. Virginia Tech has already taken action on a number of items with an immediate priority, some of which were discussed at today's Board of Visitors meeting. Examples include: multiple redundant notification systems for students, faculty, and staff; additional security devices and measures; additional counseling resources; and many other steps to improve the safety, security, and well-being of the Virginia Tech community. The Board of Visitors commends President Charles Steger in the adoption of the Virginia Tech Action Plan and for his leadership in these most difficult times. The Board of Visitors would also like to thank the students, staff, faculty and administrators of Virginia Tech for their outstanding service and commitment in responding to the events of April 16, 2007. Their leadership, devotion, and cooperative spirit have been instrumental in moving Virginia Tech forward. The Board of Visitors also extends its wishes for ongoing recovery to the families of the deceased a…
creator: Jacob Lutz
date: 2007-09-25
contributor: Brent Jesiek
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Frank Beamer on stage with Phil Vassar at A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. -- Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1351354895/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-25
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Ticket scalpers near Lane Stadium prior to A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. -- Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1351341141/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-25
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Dave Matthews performing at A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. -- Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1352275438/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-25
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

A Common Sense Proposal for Preventing
description: By CoachJason - Posted on September 24th, 2007 ~Comments on the shootings at Santana High School in Santee, CA and Columbine High School and a call for zero tolerance for Teasing, Taunting, Ridicule and Bullying (TTRB) and the teaching of self-esteem.~ I originally wrote this article, just after the Santana High School shooting in Santee, CA in March 2001. I thought then and still do that the press concentrating on "guns in schools" and "bullying" stories are talking about symptoms (guns) and only part of the problem (bullying). We are now at the eight year anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School and now there is yet another and far worse shooting spree at the Virginia Tech University. From the press reports and the statements of school officials and concerned citizens, it doesn't seem like much has changed to change the chances of future catastrophes. It is the same old speculative explanations and remedies that have not worked to date. Once again, I offer my suggestions that are based on a lifetime of successfully working with marginalized kids. Please take note. When 15-year-old Andy Williams opened fire on the students of Santana High School in Santee, CA, on Monday, March 6th, he fulfilled the hidden desires and became an instant hero to millions of school kids across the country, as did Eric and Dylan, the Columbine High shooters, before him. If this statement horrifies you, please read on. By all the newspaper and TV accounts, Andy was a marginal, ridiculed, picked on, quite passive, "disaffected and unhappy boy, frequently taunted by his peers." He was called "country boy" and the king of all taunts, "gay." His classmates described him as "a twerp, skinny, and very quiet." He laughed off verbal and even physical abuse and never fought back. He was beginning to drink and use drugs to fit in with the crowd. This is much the same profile as the other kids who shot up their schools. It is also the profile of millions of other school kids. Sure, mos…
creator: Jason Wittman
date: 2007-09-25
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Dave Matthews Band performing at A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. -- Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1351379023/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-26
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Dave Matthews as master of ceremonies at A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1352263170/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-26
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Wide view of stage and stadium during John Mayer's performance at A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1352241772/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-26
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: DJ Scratch performs with Nas at A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1352288020/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-26
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Dave Matthews Band bassist Stefan Lessard performing at A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1339661489/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-26
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07
description: Boyd Tinsley and Dave Matthews at the close of A Concert for Virginia Tech, September 6, 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Gupta. Original Source: http://flickr.com/photos/spector1/1351352669/
creator: Roger Gupta
date: 2007-09-26
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Roger Gupta (ragupta@vt.edu)
language: eng

Campus shootings trigger college emergency plans for students
description: contributed by Mike Overson, editor-in-chief In every dorm room, as well as around campus, colored pamphlets display emergency campus information. This pamphlet, originally created by the State of Utah Division of Facilities and Construction Management but modified by the Campus Emergency Task Force, includes pertinent phone numbers and offices illustrating what students, faculty and professors should do if various events ranging from; a biological hazard, hostage situation, suspicious package, fire, telephone threats, violent acts, earthquake and bomb threats take place. According to the pamphlet, if a biohazard is discovered, the police should be immediately notified so that someone who is trained can assist you. If a chemical is suspected of being released, then every attempt to stop or limit spread should be made. Isolating the container is key to stopping the spread of contaminates and limiting exposure to yourself and others. Make sure to warn others of danger; this will cut down the number of exposed people. In the event of a hostage situation, always remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders. Avoid conversation or eye contact with attackers unless force or threats of force are used. If you are on the outside of a hostage scenario, remain outside and do not enter a building until told that it is all clear and safe to go in, the pamphlet explains. Suspicious packages should be left alone until police arrive. Some clues as to which parcels of mail should be examined include: restrictive markings, foreign mail, air mail or special delivery, excessive weight, handwritten or poorly typed envelope, incorrect title or titles with no name, misspelled common verbs, oily stains or discolorations, rigid envelopes, lopsided or uneven envelopes, wires or foil protruding from package or envelope, excessive masking tape, string or other wrapping. If the package is inside, notify others on upper and lower floors. Fires present a challenge because of an unpredictabl…
creator: Mike Overson
date: 2007-09-30
contributor: Brent Jesiek
rights: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
language: eng

Random attacks difficult to stop
description: April 17, 2007 By IDA JAMSHIDI Reporter Government officials are calling it the deadliest rampage in the history of the United States. Virginia Tech University was the site of a mass shooting Monday, leaving at least 33 people dead, including an unidentified gunman, whom police believed took his own life. Dozens were injured. Baylor Police Chief Jim Doak said it is nearly impossible to predict an incident like the Virginia Tech shooting. But he said Baylor police regularly participate in structured drills so that officers are prepared for this type of event. "We want to act swiftly. We want to be decisive with an active goal of neutralizing or killing the shooter," Doak said. If a person is caught in the midst of a shooting, Doak said the best thing to do is look for a way out. "Preferably, you're looking for an opening," he said. "If you have no way out, your best offense is to play dead. Drop to the floor and lay there motionless." Doak said Baylor students should be aware of their surroundings and not hesitate to report suspicions. "Awareness is the greatest ally of any student," he said. "Students don't normally think in terms of what's around the next corner." The Baylor Police Department receives around 400 "suspicious person" calls every year, said Doak, while 20 years ago, they received only about 25 calls reporting suspicious behavior. Dr. Susan Matlock-Hetzel, a psychologist at the Baylor Counseling Center, said that when people are caught in a dangerous situation, such as a shooting, they might do things they would not normally do. "If people are placed in that kind of emotional, shocking event, our natural tendency is to go into that fight or flight response," she said. "Our mental capacities would go to surviving." Matlock-Hetzel said that the trauma of the shooting will affect each student differently, and the university will have to decide what is best for the majority of the students. "That community will be having multiple phases of responding to th…
creator: Ida Jamshidi
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

Campus creates major issues
description: April 24, 2007 By KATY MATLOCK Contributor Before April 16, the topic of stress at Baylor University could have provoked yawns in its predictability. With final exams, social pressures and looming career goals as the ingredients, stress was an inevitable dish served up to college students across the nation. Occasionally, some deaths that are stress-related suggested a deeper problem stalking the shoulders of students. But in general, the consensus seemed to be that stress is a fact of life on college campuses. On April 16, Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old English major at Virginia Tech University, killed himself and 32 of his fellow "Hokie Birds." The university shooting shocked the nation and threw a new stressor onto students' plates. Over the next few weeks, students on the Baylor campus at the least will be coping with passing final exams, starting summer jobs and accepting a tragedy that shattered a fellow university's campus bubble. In addition, students may be facing difficult situations at home, financial struggles or post-graduation uncertainty. As trite as it may seem, there are some helpful ways that students can persevere and even embrace life during the stress of the next few weeks. Rachel Farris, a graduate student from St. Louis, includes a section on stress management in her Health and Human Behavior classes. She encourages students to include short, fun activities in their schedules. "Some of my students schedule times in their day to have a stress break where they might color, listen to music, work on art, read or write," Farris said. Farris also applies these practices in her own life. "I try to take regular breaks in my schedule to do things that I enjoy," she said. In these breaks, she said, she may read, write, exercise or listen to music. She limits her breaks to less than an hour so that the break itself relieves rather than compounds her stress, she said. Corpus Christi sophomore Patrick Roberts allows himself a break one day a week. "If I don't…
creator: KATY MATLOCK
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

BU acts cautiously with mental illness
description: April 24, 2007 By CLAIRE ST. AMANT Staff writer In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, questions of "why" are rivaled only by those of "what if." What if counseling centers where Cho Seung-Hui was referred could've done more? What if complaints filed by students had been taken more seriously? What if, what if, what if? Dr. Jim Marsh, director of counseling services, said the situation in Virginia reflects a very small percentage of mental health concerns at the college level. "Dealing with something like that is not the norm," he said. "These situations are extremely rare and impossible to predict." Marsh said it's important not to "lump everything together" because most of the students who receive counseling are not threats to the safety of themselves or others. "What we want to avoid is suddenly tabbing people for being dangerous when they aren't," he said. "If people are worried about being labeled in that way, we could have a backlash where people who need these services wouldn't want to come to counseling." Students can receive up to 12 counseling sessions a year, with the initial assessment and subsequent six sessions free of charge. Sessions seven through 12 are $10 each. Marsh said even though students are offered 12 sessions, most attend only five or six. "Our capacity is to provide short-term counseling," he said. "If the student requires more specialized or long-term care, we will refer the student to a center in the community." Marsh added that when a "worst-case scenario" occurs and a student is in "serious danger of hurting themselves or others," the staff psychologist is only allowed to alert law enforcement and medical personnel, according to Texas state law. "I can't tell the administration, the student's parents or professors what a patient has told me," he said. The policy on threats or harm to self or others in the student handbook states that students who "demonstrate an intent or desire" to inflict harm to oneself or others will be removed f…
creator: CLAIRE ST. AMANT
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

In light of any tragedy, the best we can do is learn
description: April 25, 2007 By BRIAN BATEMAN Until last Monday, the only things I knew about Virginia Tech University were that it was located in Virginia and the school colors -- orange and maroon -- were ugly. Maybe that's because they are the colors of Baylor's two biggest conference rivals. Or maybe they just don't go together. But the tragedy on April 16 interrupted my ignorance. As I watched the fallout from the shootings, I found myself removed from violence. I even found myself forgetting that a distant cousin is studying engineering there. When I turned off the television, however, questions began to race through my mind. They weren't the usual "why did he do it?" questions. "What's a hokie?" "Where's Blacksburg?" "Did anyone famous go there?" and, once again, "Who thought of putting orange and maroon together?" Well, for those who are as inquisitive as I am, here are the answers. According to the school's Web site, "hokie" refers to a modified version of the first school spirit yell and Blacksburg is roughly 200 miles west of Richmond. Famous alumni include Johnny Oates, who managed the Texas Rangers from 1995 to 2001, Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick and the creator of the gold safe at Fort Knox. And as for the colors, a committee changed the colors from black and gray -- which the school Web site listed as "resembling prison uniforms" -- to burnt orange and Chicago maroon in 1896. Well, at least it's a step in the right direction. After I found the answers to these questions, I thought I would be satisfied. But my curiosity returned a few minutes later. Maybe it's because I'm a trivia nerd. Or maybe I'm just human. There's something compelling about disorder -- it's the reason we tap our brakes and strain our necks, peeking over the concrete barrier between our vehicle and the mangled car wreck on the other side of the road. It's also the reason the instant our friend says, "This water fountain is nasty!" we rush to taste the water, only to find our friend's…
creator: BRIAN BATEMAN
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

The Hierarchy of Evil
description: April 26, 2007 By CLAIRE ST. AMANT Staff writer Even in the Garden of Eden, questions of evil abounded. Thousands of years later, we are still wrestling with the issue of depravity and the nature of evil. The tragedy at Virginia Tech University is the latest reminder of the human capacity to act in ways that harm others. Two psychiatrists, Dr. Michael Stone of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Dr. Michael Welner, a forensic psychiatrist at New York School of Medicine, are developing systems to rank evil deeds according to degrees of heinousness. Both scales have implications for the legal system. Welner hopes his scale on depravity will be used as a guideline in criminal sentencing, and Stone's 22-level hierarchy of evil is based on biographies of violent offenders. Dr. Daryl Koehn, author of The Nature of Evil and chairwoman of business ethics at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, said she believes it's dangerous to rank evil behavior. "It seems to me that the ranking system would say that the people themselves are more evil and not the acts they are committing," Koehn said. "I think it will make us see some people as monsters and completely unlike us." "I don't believe Cho (Seung-Hui) was a monster," she said. "I think it's a mistake to see him as motivated by malice." Koehn said we're all "caught up in the same dynamics" of good and evil and are guilty of "identifying with a false self and trying to transfer our pain to others." When we suffer in some way -- physically, emotionally or otherwise -- we become frustrated and react in different ways, she said. Koehn offered the example of road rage as one modern expression of frustration. "The false self tells us we are a nobody," she said. "In some ways we are all trying to transfer that pain." Becky Robertson, a George W. Truett Theological Seminary student from the Ivory Coast, said the universal guilt of humankind manifests itself in different ways. "We have a natural tendency to say, 'I told…
creator: CLAIRE ST. AMANT
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

Editorial: Gun groups gone wrong
description: Aug. 20, 2007 Anytime a tragedy occurs we ask ourselves how it could have happened and how it can be prevented from ever happening again. So in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech massacre, gun rights advocates began calling for the repealing of bans on carrying concealed weapons on school campuses. The national organization of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus is one such group. There are eight chapters of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus in Texas, the most of any state. Current Texas law forbids the carrying of concealed weapons in places like school campuses, places of worship and government property -- even if a person is licensed to carry. Arlington senior Andrew Sugg, head of Baylor's SCCC chapter, seeks to make it possible for students to arm themselves at Baylor. Groups like these have to use circular logic to reach their conclusions. Because a deranged individual brought guns onto campus, Sugg and others believe they should be allowed to bring theirs in order to protect themselves. What the gun lobby conveniently forgets is that the mental history of Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho should have prevented him from ever obtaining a gun in the first place. Cho's mental history was recognized by a Virginia court in 2005, and due to inconsistencies between federal and state law, he was not entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The problem is not with the laws, but with the ability of the system to work properly. If it did, Cho would not have been able to purchase a gun and the conversation may not have gone in this direction. While it is clear that the response time of Virginia Tech's campus police was inadequate, this does not mean we should allow anyone who has gone through a criminal history check and a safety course to be a substitute for law enforcement. This vigilante attitude of circumventing the responsibility of law enforcement could potentially create many serious problems. The majority of people who receive li…
creator: Editorial
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

Students fight for guns on campus
description: 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…
creator: Claire St. Amant
date: 2007-10-02
contributor: Haeyong Chung
language: eng

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