Tragedy at Virginia Tech

April 17, 2007

Dear Friends,

The news yesterday from the Virginia Tech campus is beyond comprehension. Colleges and universities are places where students, faculty and staff come together to learn from each other, to explore, and to grow. One reason why our campuses are so special is because they usually are peaceful. When violence erupts, we are all touched by it.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Virginia Tech community, but especially to the victims and their families. I have asked that the flags on our campuses be lowered to half staff this week in their memory. I hope that collectively we can find a way to show our community support for our colleagues in Blacksburg, VA.

This unspeakable tragedy has prompted us to review our own emergency management and response procedures at Tufts. While nobody likes to assume the worst, we routinely plan for a variety of potential crises. In an emergency, the university uses email, voicemail, the web, and our campus wide video monitors to notify the community. In light of what happened at Virginia Tech, we will examine these and other communications channels to determine whether enhancements are in order. I also have asked our facilities and public safety departments to coordinate with our local communities the installation of emergency sirens on campus. This low tech system could be used to notify students, faculty, staff and visitors of a campus wide emergency. Also, Tufts is blessed with one of the most professional police departments on any college campus. Our public safety officers work closely with local and state police in responding to emergencies. I have full confidence in their ability to respond in a time of crisis.

Tufts is a safe campus, but we are not immune from the unpredictable acts of potentially violent individuals. We must be alert to those among us who might appear unbalanced or who pose a threat to themselves or others. That said, I don't think any of us would like to see Tufts transformed into an overly restricted environment with metal detectors at the entrance to every classroom, dormitory, lab and event on campus. Universities are and should be open places where people are free to explore ideas and to meet and engage each other and the broader world. We will continue to review our policies and procedures to ensure that Tufts remains a safe, welcoming and hospitable community.

Best regards,

Larry Bacow
--
Lawrence S. Bacow
President
Tufts University
Ballou Hall
Medford, MA 02155
617-627-3300
reply to bacow@tufts.edu

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	v 2007 Memos > Executive Director of Institutional Diversity Appointed > Message from President Bacow > Tragedy at Virginia Tech > Islam and The Primary Source > Executive Vice President Appointed > Tufts Mourns the Loss of Gerald Gill > Freedom of Expression at Tufts > Recent Gifts from Steven and Michael Jaharis and Steve Tisch > Summer News and Updates > Holiday Bonus Days > 2008 President's Marathon Challenge > Update on Tufts' Emergency Alert System	Home » Community Memos » 2007 Memos » Tragedy at Virginia Tech Tragedy at Virginia Tech April 17, 2007 Dear Friends, The news yesterday from the Virginia Tech campus is beyond comprehension. Colleges and universities are places where students, faculty and staff come together to learn from each other, to explore, and to grow. One reason why our campuses are so special is because they usually are peaceful. When violence erupts, we are all touched by it. Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Virginia Tech community, but especially to the victims and their families. I have asked that the flags on our campuses be lowered to half staff this week in their memory. I hope that collectively we can find a way to show our community support for our colleagues in Blacksburg, VA. This unspeakable tragedy has prompted us to review our own emergency management and response procedures at Tufts. While nobody likes to assume the worst, we routinely plan for a variety of potential crises. In an emergency, the university uses email, voicemail, the web, and our campus wide video monitors to notify the community. In light of what happened at Virginia Tech, we will examine these and other communications channels to determine whether enhancements are in order. I also have asked our facilities and public safety departments to coordinate with our local communities the installation of emergency sirens on campus. This low tech system could be used to notify students, faculty, staff and visitors of a campus wide emergency. Also, Tufts is blessed with one of the most professional police departments on any college campus. Our public safety officers work closely with local and state police in responding to emergencies. I have full confidence in their ability to respond in a time of crisis. Tufts is a safe campus, but we are not immune from the unpredictable acts of potentially violent individuals. We must be alert to those among us who might appear unbalanced or who pose a threat to themselves or others. That said, I don't think any of us would like to see Tufts transformed into an overly restricted environment with metal detectors at the entrance to every classroom, dormitory, lab and event on campus. Universities are and should be open places where people are free to explore ideas and to meet and engage each other and the broader world. We will continue to review our policies and procedures to ensure that Tufts remains a safe, welcoming and hospitable community. Best regards, Larry Bacow -- Lawrence S. Bacow President Tufts University Ballou Hall Medford, MA 02155 617-627-3300 reply to bacow@tufts.edu
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