Other schools reactions
Sharon Pritz, CT Features Editor
April 17, 2007
The events that occurred yesterday at Virginia Tech have not only shaken the students and residents of Blacksburg, but also college students across the country. In a time of crisis, fellow schools have provided support and shared in the panic that spread across the campus as the death toll rose. As President Steger answered questions in press conferences, other schools' authorities addressed their student bodies concerning the safety of their campuses. President John Casteen of the University of Virginia was on his way out of town when he heard the news from Blacksburg and turned around to Charlottesville to release statements of support to the Virginia Tech community, says Carol Wood, University Spokesperson.
"Different People·reached out to our colleagues at Virginia Tech," Wood said. President Casteen released a lengthy statement to the community saying the following, "The shootings this morning at Virginia Tech have turned a seemingly normal day into one filled with grief and disbelief. For UVa., especially on this day, Virginia Tech is family. Many of us have parents, daughters and sons, sisters and brothers, and friends who study, teach, or work in Blacksburg. Many of us are Tech alumni· In the course of this day, we have offered support and assistance as Virginia Tech may need them from us. This offer includes providing psychological support services, other medical assistance, and any other support that may be useful to Virginia Tech. We will stay in close touch with President Steger and those who must now work with him to restore the Tech community."
Regarding UVa.'s near future when dealing with the aftermath of this incident, Casteen said, "At 2 p.m. tomorrow in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech will hold its convocation. Along with student leaders and members of our Board of Visitors, I will attend to express our common respect and concern. Also at 2 p.m., the Chapel bells here on the Grounds will toll for five minutes. I urge all within the sound of the bells to pause, reflect, and each in her or his own way express sorrow for the losses that so many families are now discovering. Again, at 7 p.m. tomorrow night, the Chapel bells will toll for five minutes as students, faculty members and staff, and I gather in the McIntire Amphitheatre in a candlelight vigil to honor the memories and lives of those killed and injured this morning and to express our support for our counterparts at Virginia Tech, for their families, and for their friends."
Another close neighbor, the College of William and Mary showed their support when Brian Whitson, College Spokesperson, said "First priority is for Virginia Tech · we are prepared to assist you in any way we can."
After sending an e-mail to the student body, George Washington University advised that students should be aware of surroundings and be aware of suspicious activities, said Adela de la Torre, media relations associate.
Not only were many Blacksburg residents glued to their televisions today, but many students of the University of North Carolina followed suit. Jessica Schonberg, a senior writer for The Daily Tarheel, said that "there was a crowd of people watching TV; we have a big screen in the student union." Yesterday's incident reminded her of last year when a University of North Carolina alumni rented a Jeep and drove the car through their campus pit, wounding nine people.
Regarding their incident, "We were lucky enough that nobody did die," Schonberg said. Noting Virginia Tech's size has heightened awareness of University of California's student body, which has a comparable student body size of 26,000 students. Julia Erlandson, a member of UCLA's student newspaper The Daily Bruin, said that as the information began to trickle through their campus, students became dismayed. "It could have easily been us," Erlandson said.
Though they had no heightened security, Arizona State University shared in the sentiment saying that a candlelight vigil will be held later in the week, said Matt Stone, a member of their student newspaper, The Normal Echo.
Though the Blacksburg community is feeling the full weight and shock of yesterday's events, the global impact of it is yet to come. Our college neighbors and students from across the country will also continue to feel its impact as each school realizes that this kind of violence can happen anywhere.