The OLINformer

(Due to my recent travel, I was unable to post this immediately. However I still wanted to share it with you, in part, because I simply cannot find the words to express my own thoughts.)

April 17, 2007

We are all shocked and saddened by the events at Virginia Tech. President Rick Miller sent the following to the Olin Community this evening:

To All Members of the Olin Community-

All of us have been deeply touched by the senseless killings at Virginia Tech. Our thoughts and prayers go out, in particular, to everyone who has been directly affected by this tragedy.

Yesterday’s events remind us that a college campus is a special place where all kinds of people come together to live, learn, and work. Understandably, we expect to do so in a safe environment, which makes the tragedy at Virginia Tech even more shocking. We are fortunate that the Olin campus has been unusually safe. We have a strong record of vigilance in protecting our students and other members of our close community, and are committed to the highest levels of safety and security. Our small size and high-tech campus infrastructure allows for rapid communication in an emergency and, on an ongoing basis, we continue to review our campus security procedures.

The Council of Olin Representatives (CORe) plans to send a letter of sympathy and support to the student government at Virginia Tech. Olin students were invited to neighboring Babson College this afternoon for a vigil at the Glavin Chapel. And Olin students are planning a moment of silence tomorrow at 10 a.m., with candle lighting at the main staircase in the Campus Center.

The College has many resources available to those who might need support in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy. Resident Resources (R2s), the Student Life staff, off-campus mental health providers, and faculty advisers are available to students. The Employee Assistance Program provides similar services to faculty and staff.

Tragic events such as this can evoke strong feelings regarding seemingly unrelated issues in people’s lives, so please be especially aware of and sensitive to reactions in the days ahead.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or thoughts you may have.

Richard K. Miller