The Skyliner

Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Opinion

Ryan Stone
Visual Arts Editor


The shooting at Virginia Tech brought back memories from Columbine for most of us. Many can remember where they were sitting when they first heard or what happened that day. It will be ingrained for us, just like VT. Despite all the questions at VT, the biggest debate after the shock settles will be safety. Thirty-two people died, and parents and students alike are wondering if the college experience is a safe one. Is there adequate security to protect lives and the possessions of the students who go to school?

Last Tuesday, April 17 an incident occurred that caused many students on campus to wonder what was happening. Accordng The Greenville News, two female students made electronic threats against students and faculty and were removed from campus to undergo psychiatric evaluations at Greenville Memorial. Many students had no idea what was happening, or how to handle the situation. Some did not even know anything had happened until the next morning and some still asked what was going on and were told to not worry about it.

Unfortunately the VT situation illustrated a lack of information dissemination. In the situation there was no way to know that Cho Seung-Hui would continue his rampage onto another building, but it was too late for many students to respond by the time they had checked their e-mail.

In the wake of the situation many have asked if there is a "fix-all" answer to information dissemination. Some schools have contracted the company, the NTI Group, a California-based communication network that can help to service schools with a way to quickly give emergency information to students. The organization allows students log onto the Web site and put in cell phone numbers, e-mail addresses and home phone numbers. Then if an actual emergency occurs, students are notified via text message, phone calls from outside lines and e-mail. This way the inefficiencies of an e-mail-only system are eliminated by multiple contact channels and also aided by an instantaneous message, not like e-mail, which is only checked periodically by many students and is not transmitted in real time. There is no end-all answer, but it is a question that has to be answered loudly and clearly otherwise questions of security will be raised. Many want to know whether or not they are safe.

In an age where information is time and money, safety should be considered as well. Back during World War II the phrase was "loose lips sink ships," now it is quite the opposite; tight lips could cost lives. An adaptation to an open information society could help to better inform people and eliminate any misunderstanding. Schools now have the best time to ask these questions, parents are more likely to pay a little extra to know their child will be safe from harms way. Society's paranoia level is a little high right now and while the issue still sits fresh in the hearts and minds of Hokies and Americans alike it is the best time to look at the safe college experience.

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