Virginia Tech tragedy: Students debate campus security after massacre

By Emily Hamsher
Capital High School

Shock, anger, confusion and sadness. These were emotions felt on Monday as we watched from all across the country the horrific events unfold on the campus of Virginia Tech. Stunned by the random acts of violence and brutality, peer groups and communities came together to mourn and remember those whose lives were lost so tragically.

While the nation as a whole was dismayed and stunned by the massacre, the incident hit very close to home to the young adults of our country. College and high school-aged students especially felt the force of this event. They could easily empathize with those at Virginia Tech, and some began to question their own safety.

As students, we often think of our college years as the best of our lives - a time of growth and development, preparation for adulthood. But are we safe on our own campuses? Could a situation like that at Virginia Tech happen here?

"Definitely," said West Virginia University freshman and Capital graduate Sarah King.

"From the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. anyone can walk into any dorm, and for a student to be carrying a large bag is not out of the ordinary," she said.

King called Monday's shootings "a wake-up call to students everywhere."

"I don't think students really realize how incredibly easy it would be to pull something like this off in a college setting, especially at a big school like Virginia Tech, and so many large universities over the country. No one usually thinks twice about the people in the back of the room or the people they pass on the sidewalk."

However, Marshall University upperclassman Brittany Walter disagrees with King's assessment.

"Marshall is a fairly safe campus," she said. "I feel that the dorms are safer than any other place. They have people checking room keys 24 hours a day."

The Virginia Tech massacre was particularly chilling for high school seniors preparing to leave home for the first time. Charleston Catholic senior Caitlin Miller was extremely disturbed by the ability of an individual to harm so many with no apparent motive. However, she won't let what has happened affect her college plans for next year.

"It could happen at any school," she said. "There are psychotic people everywhere that could just snap at any moment.

"Reflecting on the situation, I don't think there was very much else they could have done about the situation," she continued. "According to the media, he [Cho Seung-Hui] didn't show a whole lot of symptoms for wanting to do this horrible thing."

Ultimately, West Virginia students are most concerned for the family and friends of the victims whose lives were lost. On Tuesday, George Washington High School participated in a moment of silence for the victims.

"My heart goes out for all the victims of the shootings, the families of the students and the friends that I know cared about these young adults," said GW sophomore Ethan Kirk.

West Virginia students stand behind Virginia Tech and the community of Blacksburg as they recover from this catastrophe. Through prayer and support from a united country, they will recover from this unfortunate tragedy, but it will never be forgotten.