In the aftermath of last week's shootings at Virginia Tech, a panel was charged with reviewing the university's response to both the security issues that the massacre raised and the mental health needs of the perpetrator Seung-Hui Cho. Regardless of whether the university was culpable of responding unsatisfactorily, the capability of other schools to react effectively to a similar crisis is certain to be a concern topmost in many parents, students and faculty's minds. In this regard, the College has taken a number of steps to reassure students and staff. These steps have generally been measured and balanced; we believe a couple of further expedients would complete them.

An ideal set of reassurances, in our minds, must necessarily accomplish two things. First, it ought to demonstrate that resources to identify and help mentally ill students are both comprehensive and readily available. Second, the administration needs to satisfy the College community that, should an emergency arise, a cogent and effective strategy has been developed to handle it. Public drills, such as the one conducted two weeks ago in response to mock cases of meningitis, indicate that the administration has realized this latter objective. It was also comforting, as students, to receive a memorandum detailing the channels through which emergency personnel would contact students during emergencies.

It remains less clear, though, what sort of mental health resources or identification procedures exist to support severe cases like Cho's. While a student with a similar condition may refuse help, faculty, fellow students and administration must all still try their utmost to assist him or her, even to a point of excess.

Health Services, by advertising its resources for students with depression or bipolar disorder, among others, can nip possible crises in the bud. Neighbors, roommates and Resident Counselors all bear significant responsibility for taking action when encountering disturbing behavior. It only takes indifference for tragedies to transpire.

At least some students on campus will be familiar with the recent routine of parents calling daily to check on their well-being. The administration should consider, in addition to its reassurances to the College community, allaying the fears of parents as well. A simple letter would go some way in ensuring that parents recognize the thought that is being put into making the campus a safe place.

Above all, we should be thankful to the administration for playing its role subtly and without undue fuss. In the wake of incidents of this nature, it is easy for the administration to fall into the role of surrogate parent and , when all students really need is a reassuring presence. The College has a responsibility to safeguard its undergraduates, and by most yardsticks, has fulfilled that duty more than adequately.