LH: I'll tell you what we have said all along. We realize that litigation is a possibility, and one of the reasons why we have participated in the mediation is, we know that all parties - those that were hurt and suffer the most pain, as well as the Commonwealth of Virginia and this institution - we know that recovery is going to be stimulated the most and helped the most by coming to grips with what it is that people need. That's why we think that mediation is an important part of the recovery process. We are hopeful that we can address and resolve the issues that people have.
CB: Does the university have plans for how to retain those relationships that you spent a year building when mixing in a possible legal situation?
LH: President Steger has said we're not going to treat anybody differently whether there's litigation or not. We've talked about that. We plan on supporting the needs through the Office of Recovery and Support regardless of litigation.
CB: Do you have any hopes for how the media will approach the upcoming anniversary and the weeks surrounding it?
LH: Well, just like the first day back at school on April 23 was a milestone, the first day back at school Aug. 20 was a milestone, this is a milestone for us. I hope that it will be a day that the institution can continue the recovery and rebuilding process, and likewise for the media. I frankly don't expect and hope that I don't see them on April 16, 2009. The reason is, I'm so cognizant of the university's needs. I remember when the SGA sent me a memo saying, can you ban the media from campus when we start school on April 23? I'm sensitive to my role in being the intermediary with the media to try to help you guys have a normalized experience here as college students.
CB: Speaking of being someone in the administration who is most in tune with the student body, what would you want them to know about this upcoming week?
LH: Students? You might make me emotional now. It was the students that turned the tide. The sense of community, it really came from the students. So, tell them thanks. You guys are why we're here. You guys are why we're here.
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