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[dept_geek]

Sure.. engineering is a fairly brutal program. But no more so than medicine, law, .... I would find art history and literature nearly impossible ;-/



Do we know if the casualites were students, faculty, staff, all of the above? Holding my breath waiting for folks to check in. I echo notaprof's prayers and thoughts.

[infopri]

OMG.  For some reason, these stories didn't come up when I did a Google News search.  It sounds like early reports indicated that the shooter was in custody, later ones said he's dead, and in either case authorities are looking for a (possible) second shooter.  In addition to the 22 dead, there are apparently dozens wounded.  (No word on who any of the victims are.)  The stories also reported a recent spate of bomb threats (including one on Friday).

My sympathies to all the victims' families and friends, as well as to everyone at or near Virginia Tech.

Elsie, go to class prepared to be flexible, depending on your students' needs.  Your post reminded me of 9/11; I was scheduled to teach two classes that day, and many of my students were from NYC and/or had close family and friends in NYC (as did I).  As it turned out, most of them just wanted to be near a TV or radio, and a phone, as did I.

[elsie]

We talked about it a bit and then negotiated a way to let them go and still cover what we need to cover the rest of the semester. One had a friend who lives at VT waiting on her porch for her to get home from class. Another was worried about his wife. All were unsettled. I suppose I'm outing my campus, but we've always had close ties to VT, and many of our students have friends and significant others who are VT students. Many of our faculty have significant others there too. At times like these, we're like a branch campus.

[bibliothecula]

Elsie, I'm glad you are okay and that you worked out things with your class.

I've just been trying to locate the office of a family friend at VT; it looks like she was pretty far from the targeted areas, but no news yet.

VT sure has worked fast to notify its community and to get things set up for counseling and a meeting tomorrow. Its administration seems to be doing a really good job in a tough situation.

[draco]

This is terrible.  Blacksburg is such a small town...the university is the town.  Very, very sad...

[ptprof]

I echo the thoughts of everyone else and my thoughts and prayers go out to the VaTech community.  I was there for a conference last fall and was impressed with the University and Community.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone associated with Virginia Tech and especially the family and friends of the victims.  In addition to the 20 reported dead, they are saying another 17 have been wounded.  How could one person cause that much carnage?

From FOXNews; "The shooter was "wearing a vest covered in clips was just unloading on their door, going from classroom to classroom … they said it never seemed like it was going to stop and there was just blood all over," Harrison said."

[sikora]

I'm confused - how many shooters were involved.

Obscure, but still the first dog in space

PS:  my department mate is listening to right wing radio, and the commentator says faculty should be armed.

[dept_geek]

I'm confused - how many shooters were involved.

Depends on who you listen to and when. Most news stories say one shooter. We'll know soon enough, I guess.

[bibliothecula]

My family friend is okay, but she said that most of the buildings on campus are still in a lockdown, because even the police are not sure if there is a second shooter somewhere.

[infopri]

Bibliothecula, I'm glad to hear that your friend is okay!!  What a relief that must be, to know for sure.

One of the reports I saw said that it's standard MO in these cases to assume and look for a second shooter, just in case.  It doesn't necessarily mean that there's any evidence of a second shooter; it's just a safety precaution.

[dundee]

The tragedy at VT makes me think about how vulnerable we all are on all our campuses. There is nothing to stop this kind of event from happening where I teach. I know many will disagree, and make arguments like "guns don't kill people, people do," but for me the VT shooting is just more evidence that allowing citizens to own and carry weapons is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, the NRA is so strong that after all the inevitable uproar there will be no tightening of gun control laws in this country.

[felix_unger]

In his statement expressing sympathy and outrage, Bush was still careful to insert a clause about how all citizens should still have the right to bear arms, though they must follow the rules. That's not working too well, I'd say.

[anthroid]

The tragedy at VT makes me think about how vulnerable we all are on all our campuses. There is nothing to stop this kind of event from happening where I teach. I know many will disagree, and make arguments like "guns don't kill people, people do," but for me the VT shooting is just more evidence that allowing citizens to own and carry weapons is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, the NRA is so strong that after all the inevitable uproar there will be no tightening of gun control laws in this country.

In his statement expressing sympathy and outrage, Bush was still careful to insert a clause about how all citizens should still have the right to bear arms, though they must follow the rules. That's not working too well, I'd say.

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.

[old_school]

I'm confused - how many shooters were involved.

Apparently one young Asian American male who then shot himself. He had enough ammo and was reloading. At least 22 dead. CNN has a cell phone video where you can clearly hear some of the gun shots.

This is horrible and so senseless.

I was a student when the shooting occured at the U of Iowa campus in 1991 .. six people died that day (incl. the shooter) and one person was left permanently disabled. Everyone is affected.

Thinking about all the families around the world worried about their children. School should be a safe place.

[iomhaigh]

The tragedy at VT makes me think about how vulnerable we all are on all our campuses. There is nothing to stop this kind of event from happening where I teach. I know many will disagree, and make arguments like "guns don't kill people, people do," but for me the VT shooting is just more evidence that allowing citizens to own and carry weapons is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, the NRA is so strong that after all the inevitable uproar there will be no tightening of gun control laws in this country.

In his statement expressing sympathy and outrage, Bush was still careful to insert a clause about how all citizens should still have the right to bear arms, though they must follow the rules. That's not working too well, I'd say.

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.

Back when it was just one reported death, I remember wondering if this happens in other countries.  Now that it is at least 20 dead.....I think I know the answer.