Pretty sad day today

[HellYeahHokie]

I spent most of my morning locked in my office, while SWAT teams, FBI and hundreds of cops ran around outside my window.

As most of you have seen by now, there was a pretty horrible event today on campus. Most of the killings happened in in the building next to mine. I guess the death toll is over 30 now. I have friends and possibly some students who were in that building. I guess it might be a day or two before I found out if they were among the victims.

I listened to the police scanner on my computer during the event, and I knew it was going to be bad when I heard the local hospital was turning away ambulances because it was maxed out. Even more tragic was the weather here (and along most of the East coast) has had these gusting winds, making it impossible for the MediVac helicopters to even operate.

Such a senseless action. It's hard to imagine it happening in such a nice place as Blacksburg, but I guess if it can happen in an Amish village, then no place is safe.

The VT Spring Game was scheduled for this Saturday. No word on whether that will go on a scheduled. Certainly its's going to cause our day to be far less festive.

God bless the victims and their families.

[Blue Hen]

. Glad to hear that you're ok , HYH. Sickening !!!!

[HellYeahHokie]

As it turns out, I probably know some of the victims. One of the classes that were attacked was a graduate class in my department. I certainly know the professor, though there is no confirmation of any names yet.

[Spice1]

There isn't much any of us can say at a time like this. My condolences to you and the Hokie family. Glad you are alright.

[ZOOMBAG]

About the only thing good that might come out of this is that colleges and universities will finally adopt better threat warning systems. College students are the most wired and connected set of people on the planet. I never understood why every student that registers doesn't give campus administration their cell phone numbers so that a mass text messaging system, like a 911 in reverse, could not immediate send a broadcast text message to every registered student to stay away or stay put. E-mail doesn't work because so many were on their way in and away from computers, but most all of them have turned on cell phones, blackberries and other gizmos.

[Don]

About the only thing good that might come out of this is that colleges and universities will finally adopt better threat warning systems. College students are the most wired and connected set of people on the planet. I never understood why every student that registers doesn't give campus administration their cell phone numbers so that a mass text messaging system, like a 911 in reverse, could not immediate send a broadcast text message to every registered student to stay away or stay put. E-mail doesn't work because so many were on their way in and away from computers, but most all of them have turned on cell phones, blackberries and other gizmos.

Only problem is most have them turned off in class.

[ZOOMBAG]

Yea, that's a PA system is for.

[tigercpa]

About the only thing good that might come out of this is that colleges and universities will finally adopt better threat warning systems. College students are the most wired and connected set of people on the planet. I never understood why every student that registers doesn't give campus administration their cell phone numbers so that a mass text messaging system, like a 911 in reverse, could not immediate send a broadcast text message to every registered student to stay away or stay put. E-mail doesn't work because so many were on their way in and away from computers, but most all of them have turned on cell phones, blackberries and other gizmos.

Our local school system here in NOVA uses it to communicate in such a manner.

They send school closures for inclement weather, changes of venue for games and activities and such....

[Martin]

My condolences to the Hokie nation. We can only be thankful for those who survived and pray for those that did not or will be struggling to recover from injuries.

It is unfortunate that a single maniac can inflict heartbreaking injury to an institution and a community.

[tigercpa]

I spent most of my morning locked in my office, while SWAT teams, FBI and hundreds of cops ran around outside my window.

As most of you have seen by now, there was a pretty horrible event today on campus. Most of the killings happened in in the building next to mine. I guess the death toll is over 30 now. I have friends and possibly some students who were in that building. I guess it might be a day or two before I found out if they were among the victims.

I listened to the police scanner on my computer during the event, and I knew it was going to be bad when I heard the local hospital was turning away ambulances because it was maxed out. Even more tragic was the weather here (and along most of the East coast) has had these gusting winds, making it impossible for the MediVac helicopters to even operate.

Such a senseless action. It's hard to imagine it happening in such a nice place as Blacksburg, but I guess if it can happen in an Amish village, then no place is safe.

The VT Spring Game was scheduled for this Saturday. No word on whether that will go on a scheduled. Certainly its's going to cause our day to be far less festive.

God bless the victims and their families.

Agree, HYH.

My thoughts and prayers are with Hokie Nation. Clemson and VT are similar in a number of ways.

[HellYeahHokie]

As it turns out, one of my professors and 9 fellow graduate students were among the victims on Monday. Our department got hit pretty hard. I've taken and/or taught dozens of classes in those very rooms. Norris is closed for the rest of the year, but I can't even imagine going back into that building. It's too chilling, and it is only by fate or providence that this random and senseless act of unspeakable violence took place Monday, and not a semester or two ago, when I might have been there.

Our Hokie family is wounded. But if any of you saw clips of the convocation or the candlelight vigil last night, you would have seen the Hokie Pride, which bonds us as a group. And it is this Hokie Pride which will help us move on.

Thanks to those offering condolences. I know we have some Auburn folks here, so I thought I would attach a picture I took today. The folks at Auburn were kind enough to send their prayers and support, as did Universities from all over the country. Thanks to all.

Zoom, the sad irony is that VT was hosting consultants this week, who were going to help implement a cell-phone text-messaging alert system. I still don't know if they would have notified students anyway, because they thought they had the killer in custody. But I'm sure after 2 events in 9 months, and the intense scruitiny our President and Police force are under from a media determined to blame someone other than the killer, the next time a balloon pops, they are going to shut down campus.

I would also like to add that I greatly appreciated President Bush's appearance and words at the convocation. It's no secret on this board, that I don't support many (if not most) of our president's policies or decisions, but I truly felt his purpose being here was heartfelt and genuine. And his words were comforting to us all.

...and now we try to move on.

[Martin]

My understanding is that Loyola Marymount University in LA already has a cell phone text message alert system and those that installed their system were in talks with VT before the incident.

Additionally, I just learned from a family member that was in the Denver, Colorado area during the Columbine inicident that loud horns went off as part of locking down all area schools. Of course, they only heard the spooky "fog horns" at the time and did not learn of their purpose until later.

In any case, using old or new technology, a better way must be found to alert the community of danger on campus.

[jeff4bucks]

my condolences to you HYH. What a terrible event! VT will recover, though!