University of Arkansas Reacts to Virginia Tech Shootings

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As the world watched media reports evolve on the tragic events at Virginia Tech, the emotional impact of the situation hit home particularly hard on college and university campuses around the nation.

According to the latest reports, at least 32 people were killed as the result of a shooting rampage on the Blacksburg, Va. campus. Police reported that the gunman also killed himself. This toll represents the deadliest shooting in U.S. history.

University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White, who studied as a graduate student at Virginia Tech from 1963-66 and later served on the faculty there from 1970-75, was in contact via e-mail with Virginia Tech President Charles Steger and others in the university’s administration.

“We have been monitoring the terrible situation unfolding on the Virginia Tech campus today, and the University of Arkansas family extends its heartfelt condolences to the campus community there,” said White “It’s difficult to imagine the loss and horror they are experiencing at this moment. We wish to offer any support and assistance we can to President Steger and the faculty, staff, students in Blacksburg, both now and during the trying days ahead.”

The University of Arkansas Police Department increased campus patrols in an effort to deter any kind of similar response in the aftermath of the shooting.

UAPD spokesman Gary Crain acknowledged that there is no way to completely prevent this kind of incident, either on a campus or anywhere else in modern society. UAPD does have a number of crime prevention programs in place, however, to reduce the chances of any type of crime. The Crime Prevention Unit presents programs to all segments of the university, teaching strategies for identifying potentially dangerous situations. UAPD also maintains a strong Community Policing program, a method of working closely with the campus community to clearly identify the underlying causes of crime or other problems that negatively affect the community's safety and security.

“We understand that we cannot deal with crime problems by ourselves,” said UAPD Director Larry Slamons. “A truly safe campus can only be realized through the cooperation and collaboration of the entire community.”

The university has policies in effect prohibiting violent or threatening behavior, and instructing members of the community how to report such behavior, and protect themselves.

“We believe the University of Arkansas is a safe learning community,” said White. “I’m quite certain Virginia Tech and most other university campuses nationwide have felt or continue to feel much the same way. This senseless act of violence is another reminder of the dangers we face in the larger society every day, despite reasonable measures in place to prevent such violence. Although we live, learn and work in an idyllic, serene environment on campus, we must all be ever-vigilant of suspicious activity, in the interest of our own safety as well as the safety of those around us.”

Students experiencing emotional distress over this situation are encouraged to seek assistance from the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services staff.

“This type of traumatizing and horrific event can affect any one of us, particularly students, faculty and staff at the university,” explained Jonathan Perry, director of CAPS. “We witnessed tragedy on this campus nearly seven years ago, and an event like this could lead to some anxiety here.”

Students experiencing emotional distress over this situation are encouraged to seek assistance from the university by contacting CAPS at 575-5276. CAPS is located in the Pat Walker Health Center located at the corner of Garland and Maple.