Condolences to VT

[Mike]

My condolences to the victims and all the student body of Virginia Tech. A real shocking experience.

[lakdod]

I agree it is a sad story. It made me appreciate the time I spend at the university. He is what i wrote on my blog about the Virgina Tech tragedy.

[Admin]

Indeed very very sad, my prayer goes out to everyone affected by this unforgettable tragedy. Who would have expected another school shooting like the Columbine High School massacre.

Now the question is, was it preventable? Universities are accessible by the general public during the day unlike high school where all entrances are either closed or guarded by an official. And it isn't likely that the legal right to purchase an arm by a competent buyer will ever go away.

[lakdod]

I am surprise something like this do not occur more offten at a university. I mean like you say admin most campus have easy access. I mean people do not like talking about this but there is alot of sucidal attempts by college students what will stop a person who is sucidal to decide to take other people with them.

Anyways did you watch the videotape the shooter sent to NBC during the gap between the two murders. Watching the video that he send to the news station made me sick.

[cpptom]

I got to see the clips of the video and he is what we know as a psychopath. Had problems since a child and maybe it was his personality or something cuz his anger and hatred got stronger and stronger and he had nowhere to release his anger. I bet there ar emany people like him today. Making me abit paranoid now.

[Admin]

Originally Posted by lakdod

I am surprise something like this do not occur more offten at a university. I mean like you say admin most campus have easy access. I mean people do not like talking about this but there is alot of sucidal attempts by college students what will stop a person who is sucidal to decide to take other people with them.

God forbid something like this will happen at Pomona and San Luis Obispo. Massacres like this are extremely rare and so students and the staff should not let fear interfere with their academics. This incident is a special case because the suspect was a psychopath. And sadly, the teacher who were aware of his abnormal behaviors in class did not report to the appropriate department to get help.

[Admin]

WSJ April 21,22 2007
SALON-APRIL 20

How should creative-writing teachers deal with students who turn in grisly stories?

The long trail of disturbing, violent writings left by Virginia Tech killer Cho Seung-Hui has sparked a debate about how to handle students' gruesome prose. Some professors have complained that school officials are slow to respond. Others worry they aren't equipped to determine which students are pushing creative boundaries and which have real psychological problems.

"Lots of great literary works are deep and dark and disturbing -- that would be Kafka," Deborah Landau, a poet and director of the creative-writing program at New York University, tells Sarah Elizabeth Richards. Ms. Landau, who plans to discuss university protocols with her staff, says teachers need to worry when students' behavior, and not only their writing, turns alarming.



We can list over 100 possibilities that could have prevented the fatal tragedy but it would not be possible for any school and its officials to incorporate all the safety procedure at all times.

[Admin]

Please join us for a Community Dialogue regarding the tragedy at Virginia Tech

Thursday, April 26, 2007
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
University Plaza (Bldg. 26)


What concerns or questions do you have?
Are you wondering about issues of campus safety, mental health, stereotyping, or racial/ethnic backlash?
Come and share your experiences at this open community dialogue with representatives from university resources.



Sponsored by:
Counseling & Psychological Services
Dean of Students Office
Emergency Operations Committee
Ethnic & Women's Studies
Foundation Housing Service
Judicial Affairs
Stop-Violence Office
Student Support & Equity Programs
Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers
University Housing Services
University Police

For more information, contact Sunny Lee, Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers at (909) 869-2841 or sunnyl@csupomona.edu .


Sunny Lee, Interim Director
Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers
California State Polytechnic University
3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768
Tel: (909) 869-2841 Phone: (909) 869-4373
www.dsa.csupomona.ed u/osl/
sunnyl@csupomona.edu

[Admin]

Dear Students, Staff & Faculty:

The turn of recent events on the Virginia Tech campus have left many saddened and devastated. As we mourn the loss of lives and pay tribute to them, I also want to take a moment to open up space for dialogue around the way in which the media has reported the events.

Some students, staff and faculty who are of Asian descent may find themselves concerned with how the accused killer is being portrayed as a "South Korean immigrant." In addition to the devastation and grief folks might be experiencing in response to the killings, a few questions might come to mind:

Why is it important for the news to report the racial/ethnic background of the accused?

What does his status as an immigrant have to do with the crime?

Are there any stereotypes that the media is utilizing about Asians and Asian Americans?

Is there backlash against the Asian and Asian American communities?

Have you as person of Asian descent experienced comments, jokes or even been verbally or physically hurt by individuals in response to this event?

If you are of Asian descent and have experienced bias, fear of bias or want to discuss the impact of the media's reporting of the accused killer, join us for "Virginia Tech, the Media & Ethnicity: An Asian American Community Forum" on Thursday, April 26, 2007 from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center (Building 95, between the Career Center and the University Library). We invite students, staff and faculty of Asian descent to talk about their feelings and thoughts in a safe space and to engage in a discussion that supports the community and begins to address the potential stigma. There are two forums the Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers along with many cross-campus partners are working to organize. This is one of them.

For more information, please contact Jih-Fei Cheng, Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center at (909) 869-5025 or email at jihfeicheng@csupomon a.edu.

Sincerely,

* * * * * * * * * *
Jih-Fei Cheng, M.A.
Coordinator
Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
3801 W. Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
T: 909.869.5025
F: 909.869.6827
jihfeicheng@csupomon a.edu
www.dsa.csupomona.ed u/apisc/