In what is being described as the deadliest shooting rampage in American history, a Virginia Tech student, Cho Seung-Hui, opened fire in a dormitory and classroom building on Monday, killing 32 people before committing suicide himself. The news of the shooting shocked students at Virginia Tech and throughout the country.
Carly Levenson '09 described her reactions upon hearing the news. "My first reaction was panic, since I have so many friends at [Virginia] Tech, and it was impossible to get through to them via phone," she said. "For many students here at Amherst, the fact that this occurred on a college campus was enough to make it frighteningly real. For me, being from Virginia and knowing a lot of students at Tech brought it even closer to home."
Chief of Campus Police John Carter said regarding the incident, "I was deeply saddened as I watched the incident unfold. My thoughts have not been far from the people affected by this tragedy."
At least one student grieved for a lost friend. Saad Cheema '10, who is from Northern Virginia and considers Tech his state school, instantly thought of all his high-school friends who study at Tech. "My immediate reaction was to try to contact them," he said. "I checked their Facebook [profiles]. Some of them had updated their status, the others I just wrote something on their wall or texted them or called them."
He explained that some students from his high school started a note on Facebook that was constantly updated with news of his classmates. Over 25 students from Cheema's class matriculated at Tech. "Within an hour everyone was accounted for except one person," he continued. "Mary Read [one of my classmates] was missing for a while. I frantically kept checking with different people on Facebook to see if she was okay. But then around 10 or so her parents received confirmation that is she was one of the victims, and then it was all over Facebook.
"I got calls of people from my high school," he said. "Everyone was devastated and crying. There are two other people from my high school in the area and they both wanted to get together (never happened). Just everyone was calling everyone. I updated my status on Facebook to send my best wishes to Mary and her family and the word got around school and there was a tremendous outpour of love and support."
"Mary Karen Read was truly one of the most amazing people I ever knew," Cheema remembered. "She always had a bright smile, very caring and genuine and pure. Always wanted to help others. Very much into community service, loved to bake. She was just an amazing person."
In his grief, Cheema said that he still could not fathom the situation. Echoing the sentiments of a nation, he added, "It is just so unfair. She did not deserve this, she really did not. I dunno, it is just hard to face this."
President Tony Marx offered his condolences to members of the College on Tuesday in a campus-wide e-mail.
"The Virginia Tech tragedy has stunned and horrified all of us," he wrote. "Our thoughts today go out to those who have friends and family in the community there. We remind all members of the Amherst College community that there are many people on campus who can support you during difficult times."
Marx went on to remind all students, faculty and staff of the resources, such as the Counseling Center and Religious Advisors, available on campus to help them deal with the recent tragedy.
Members of the College community have also quickly taken the initiative to give their support to those in need of a helping hand or shoulder.
"My friends at Amherst have been incredibly supportive," remarked Cheema. "Everyone was like, 'We are here if you want to talk.' Honestly, they could not have been any better." He found the support from fellow students and friends so generous that he didn't feel he needed the official support resources offered by the College. "I cannot praise my friends and thank them enough," he added. "They continue to be supportive to this day and keep checking on me to make sure I am alright."
Students have come together in other ways to reach out to members of the College community and to those at Virginia Tech. Last night, Davis Hall Resident Counselors Rylan Burns '09 and Linda McEvoy '08 invited students to their dorm to talk about the events that had transpired and to remember those who lost their lives. Students in attendance shared their experiences and reactions. Many brought up ideas regarding the ways in which the College community could respond to the tragedy, and among them were the establishment of a memorial and donations to the victims.
Most importantly, students emphasized the need for conversations about the incident on campus and the importance of providing a supporting community for those who need it. Students also discussed the responses of the police and administration at Virginia Tech and compared them to the plans and protocols that the College has in place. Though they recognized that the problems posed by such a threat were difficult to address, students wondered whether or not steps could be taken towards improving the College's ability to warn students in the event of an emergency.
Currently, the emergency protocol states that the college community would be warned through e-mail bulletins, messages to landline phones, radio announcements on WAMH and postings in buildings. Marx reassured the community in his e-mail that the College had taken the possibility of a threat similar to the shootings into account and had devised plans and protocols to deal with such a situation.
"While there is no guarantee that this sort of terrible event will never happen on our campus, I do want to let you know that we make every effort to be vigilant and prepared for an unexpected occurrence here," Marx wrote.
Chief Carter qualified Marx's statement, explaining, "A great part of what we do is to remain prepared for the possibility of any kind threat to the Amherst College community. As part of our overall Emergency Preparedness Plan, we have planned for numerous incidents, including one such as this. The Campus Police have trained with the Massachusetts State Police to respond to 'active aggressors,' have written protocols and policies in place, and have a strong collaborative relationship with the Amherst Police for mutual aid. It is important to note that the Campus Police, as sworn, armed officers, are capable of an immediate response."