Virginia Tech tragedy will be mourned at University of Richmond; staff on duty to counsel, discuss student, parent and staff concerns
April 16, 2007
A candlelight vigil, open-chapel meditation and extended availability of counselors and administrative staff to discuss concerns are among initial responses to the shootings at Virginia Tech at University of Richmond.
In a campus-wide e-mail informing students, faculty and staff of the developing news, University President William E. Cooper said that the tragedy “touches us all.”
The university opened Cannon Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. for individual reflection, prayer and meditation. A candlelight vigil will take place from 6-7 p.m. Additionally, staff of the university’s Chaplaincy, Counseling and Psychological Services and residential deans are on-call to meet with students.
Additionally, the Virginia Tech Alumni Association will hold its own candlelight vigil at Cannon Memorial Chapel tomorrow evening (April 17). An alumni representative asked people interested in attending to consult Virginia Tech’s Web site for details.
According to Robert Dillard, chief of University of Richmond Police, the university recognizes that a similar tragedy could occur on any campus, and so his force has developed a policy, conducted training and equipped itself for such a situation.