Virginia Tech tragedy raises questions of safety
NDNU students consider what could happen on this campus
Bianca Nery
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
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On April 16, Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech, went on a shooting rampage as he took the lives of 32 students before taking his own.
"You don't expect things like this to happen on campuses. Especially not at the college level," said Mayra Vargas, a senior. "You want to feel safe and you think you're protected by the school."
"I really feel bad for the parents, family and loved ones," said Minh Vu, a sophomore and vice-president of ASNDNU. What affects him, he said, is that life doesn't really begin until after college and they didn't get a chance to start their lives yet.
"Their dreams and aspirations were taken from them," said Vu.
Although students are aware that this tragedy could take place at any school, some feel that it is still unlikely to occur at NDNU.
"I don't know if it can happen on this campus. It can happen on any campus really. We're just so small," said Vu, explaining that NDNU is such an intimate school, there is always someone to lend a hand.
However, many students believe NDNU is as much of a target as any other campus. "I think this can happen at any school," said Leah Cowan, senior and president of ASNDNU.
Dave Mefford, chief of public safety, agreed. "It could happen anywhere. It doesn't even have to be a school."
He said that the size of the school isn't a factor in determining the likelihood of a similar tragedy.
Mefford said that if a student, faculty or staff member sees somebody with a gun they need to report it right away and let the police department and public safety take care of it.
"We have emergency procedures in place," said Mefford. He explained that although the public safety staff is trained to respond to emergencies every incident is different.
"You have to be ready to determine what you're going to do at the time it does happen."
Students have mixed feelings towards their safety at the thought of a shooter opening fire on campus.
"Our public safety is always on top of things," said Vu, adding that he feels like the school is equipped to handle a similar situation.
Caitlin Torres, a freshman, concurs. "I feel like security is better because there isn't as much area to cover."
Vargas disagrees. "There's not enough security on campus."
Jeanine Buenaventura, a senior, agreed by saying people can come in and out of the university without any identification.
When it comes to reaching students in case of an emergency, Mefford said, "Here we wouldn't have a problem contacting people because we're a very small campus."
Many students agree but many think that emailing students on their university accounts will not be enough to get the word out.
They believe that installing a PA system, text messaging students, and spreading the word through staff and faculty may be more effective than a mass email.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Anynomous
posted 4/27/07 @ 7:58 AM EST
Why do we as people tend to take out our anger on other people?
I feel horrifically sorry for everyone at VT, and the families
I hope that NOBODY in any college anywhere has to deal with the events that took place. (Continued…)
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