Stoutonia

Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News

Media Credit: www.msnbc.msn.com Two Virginia Tech students console each other after 31 students were killed and more than 15 injured after senior Cho Seung-Hui went on a shooting spree.

Governor Doyle directed the United States flag and the State of Wisconsin flag be flown at half-staff beginning April 17, and ending at sundown, Sunday, April 22 at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the state of Wisconsin. The act marks respect for the victims of the shootings at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Students and teachers, 31 in total, died from a gunmen’s shooting spree on the Blacksburg, Va. campus. The victims came from across the United States and abroad – Peru, Indonesia, India and ranged in age from 18 to 76.

Law enforcement officials released information on the Norris Hall gunman, Cho Seung-Hui, 23.  Once Cho’s identification was confirmed, Virginia Tech Police records were reviewed and it was determined that there was contact with Cho in the fall of 2005 for two stalking incidents and was referred to a mental health facility at the time.

In the wake of the incident, universities across the U.S. have been reviewing their security to ensure they could handle this type of situation. The University of Wisconsin-Stout Chancellor Charles Sorenson released a statement regarding questions about campus safety.

Sorenson said a “crisis response plan” is in place and is frequently reviewed and tested. After the recent shootings, administrators discussed any changes that need to be made. An overview of that plan can be found at www.uwstout.edu/crisis/index.shtml.

 “I have full confidence in the training, experience and ability of our full-time University Police Department to handle a crisis situation on campus,” Sorenson said. Working closely with the Menomonie Police Department, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department, as well as police departments from other campuses, the campus police department gives UW-Stout adequate police protection.

Within the hour of the shootings, messages from students streamed online with many posting to their Facebook accounts to let loved ones know that they were all right.

Sorenson stressed the importance of laptops as communication links in case of campus emergencies. He said warnings would be sent by email to students, faculty and staff and asks to spread the word to others of any precautions they need to take.

Sorenson warned that despite having a competent campus police force, it is important to understand that we are an open, public institution.

“That means that each of us needs to be vigilant for situations that could be dangerous,” Sorenson said. Report any suspicious activity to the University Police Department at (715) 232-2222 or 9-911 (from a campus phone).

Honoring those killed
Virginia Tech family members across the country have united to declare this Friday, April 20th, an ‘Orange and Maroon Effect’ day to honor those killed in the tragic events on campus Monday, April 16th, and to show support for Virginia Tech students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni and friends.

‘Orange and Maroon Effect’ was born several years ago as an invitation to Tech fans to

Media Credit: www.msnbc.msn.com

wear orange and maroon to Virginia Tech athletic events. Everyone from all over the country is invited to be a part of the Virginia Tech family this Friday, to wear orange and maroon to support the families of those who were lost, and to support the school and community the  family membrs all love so much.

A great Web site that talks about ways to stay safe on campus, as well as other issues: www.paper-clip.com/virginiatech.

If this incident has raised issues in your own life, feel free to avail yourself of the services at the University Counseling Center at (715) 232-2468. Services are free and confidential.

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