2008 Woodie Awards
Faculty members dig deeper into the Virginia Tech shootings
Benjamin Pomerance
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News
Originally published: 4/19/07 at 4:19 PM EST
Last update: 4/19/07 at 4:19 PM EST
"In a world too often marked by conflict and violence, universities and colleges should be sanctuaries of thought, reflection and peace," Mowry said. "These tragic events force us to look within ourselves, to deepen - not threaten - our commitment to these values."
Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Science Ken Adams wants to take PSUC's response a step further. The shootings should prompt the college's administration to re-examine campus security policies, procedures and "risk management", Adams said, urging students and faculty to be observant of behaviors that seem unusual or troubling.
Now's the time for an open discussion about mental health issues and their impact on PSUC's safety, Adams said.
He said he hopes these discussions would produce stronger safety measures and educate students and faculty about how to respond properly to threats.
Distinguished Teaching Professor of History Douglas Skopp said he does not believe stronger safety measures will eliminate the threat of attacks.
"This tragedy is a call to all of us to find compassion and seek understanding for those who are affected-the victims, the shooter, their families and loved ones," Skopp said. "It's not just that we could be them - we are them, and they are us."
Associate Professor of Adolescent Education Mark Beatham agreed. Hearing of the shooting brought back images of past school shootings, especially scenes of the Columbine High School massacre, for Beatham. Out of this violence comes a message, Beatham said, a message modern society needs to learn.
"Too often, behavior among college students goes to the lowest common denominator," Beatham said. "People who act in certain ways form cliques who shun anybody who does not act that way, hurting that person far more than they realize."
Often, Beatham said, the ostracized individual does not show any reaction to exclusion from the "popular crowd". That does not mean that the person isn't affected, Beatham said.
Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Science Ken Adams wants to take PSUC's response a step further. The shootings should prompt the college's administration to re-examine campus security policies, procedures and "risk management", Adams said, urging students and faculty to be observant of behaviors that seem unusual or troubling.
Now's the time for an open discussion about mental health issues and their impact on PSUC's safety, Adams said.
He said he hopes these discussions would produce stronger safety measures and educate students and faculty about how to respond properly to threats.
Distinguished Teaching Professor of History Douglas Skopp said he does not believe stronger safety measures will eliminate the threat of attacks.
"This tragedy is a call to all of us to find compassion and seek understanding for those who are affected-the victims, the shooter, their families and loved ones," Skopp said. "It's not just that we could be them - we are them, and they are us."
Associate Professor of Adolescent Education Mark Beatham agreed. Hearing of the shooting brought back images of past school shootings, especially scenes of the Columbine High School massacre, for Beatham. Out of this violence comes a message, Beatham said, a message modern society needs to learn.
"Too often, behavior among college students goes to the lowest common denominator," Beatham said. "People who act in certain ways form cliques who shun anybody who does not act that way, hurting that person far more than they realize."
Often, Beatham said, the ostracized individual does not show any reaction to exclusion from the "popular crowd". That does not mean that the person isn't affected, Beatham said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Brian McDonald
Brian McDonald
posted 4/19/07 @ 9:39 PM EST
I do appreciate how expert opinion has been solicited in what may brew into a witch hunt for anyone who meets enough points on a "Cho criteria test".
However, I find that too much media regarding this has scapegoated broad groups of people. (Continued…)
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