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"The results showed 1,000 people for it and 70 against it," Koch said. "It took a while for us to pass it, because some say it could be better for us to go to school and be with people and move on."
Though these results are lopsided, Koch noted that legitimate concerns were presented through the comments of the 70 opposed. He expects the administration to express similar apprehensions.
"They could think this will just be another day off for students to go do whatever they want," Koch said. "A lot of people are going to remember with us, though some have said they would rather have class on that day and deal with it. Others feel we should go on and not admit defeat. We are looking at everyone's interests."
Meredyth Kenney, the SGA's public relations representative, said that the SGA as a whole is in support of this legislation.
"The SGA feels strongly about making April 16th a school-wide day of remembrance," Kenney said. "That cold and tragic morning will always remain a vivid memory in every Hokie's mind, and in the minds of the people around the world. By declaring April 16th a day to recall and celebrate the lives of the unique friends we lost, we will further ensure that their spirits remain alive in each of us."
As for the financial aspect of their legislation, Koch and Korpe agreed on trying leave it out of their resolution.
"The main financial constraint is the cost of closing the school down for a day," Koch said. "With something like this though, I don't think you should consider the financial aspect.
Chase Williams, a freshman, engineering major offered a similar view on the benefit of having April 16, 2008 as a day of memorial.
"People need to take the day off to remember and reflect upon the tragedy," Williams said. "It will show reverence and respect for those who were lost, and for the ongoing community."
As for the future of April 16, Korpe will leave future students in charge of whether or not to push for an annual day of remembrance.
"My goal is to do something relevant and important to Virginia Tech," Korpe said. "I think it would be appropriate and I would like future student bodies to consider it, but the meaning of it might be diffused with the larger holiday we make it. I'm not trying to impose that idea."
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I think this is a great idea as long as it is truely a day of service and rememberance! What a great way to remind the world of the love, compassion, and strength of the Hokie Nation!!
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As long as people don't use this they way they use reading day... Sound like some could make it another alcoholiday. SGA should have definite plans lined up for people both the night of the 15th and during the day on the 16th in order to keep students busy.
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All that should be done to commemorate this terrible anniversary is a campus wide minutes of silence -- with bells tolling from 9:40 to 9:48 am on April 16th, 2008. A "day off" would just be used for drinking purposes by many students.
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First off, the day is on a Wednesday. Second off, there will be various events on the day. Third off, if people drink on that Tuesday then they are horrible people. Lastly, it'll be a day to embrace fellow classmates and remember those lost on that horrific day. I think that if we did not have something to remember those lost would be nothing short of dishonorable.
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Comparing April 16th with Reading Day is absolutely unnecessary. We are all Hokies, and we are all dealing with this as best as we can. I am disappointed that you would have such a low opinion of your fellow Hokies to think that they would treat this day as another Reading Day. I am confident that no one will disregard the anniversary of the worst day in most of our lives.
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I believe it is a big improvement over the original bill to only ask for the holiday for 2008. Had it been approved as an annual holiday, there would certainly come a time where the things other posters have mentioned would become more prevalent. Just as I doubt many of us reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day or Veteran's Day, the true meaning of this holiday would fade over time. That said, on a personal note, I would be satisfied with a moment of silence, as Fred mentions. Everyone is going to deal with that day in their own way, regardless of whether school is cancelled.
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I think that this author is absolutely amazing. He is awesome
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