Response

Introduction

The safety of college students is important. Although colleges and universities are not charged to protect students under all circumstances, once it is known that danger may occur, it is important to take action. Negligence is defined being careless or not paying attention; causing someone or something to be at risk of being harmed. The relationship between college and students are not easily defined, but it is assumed that students are independent citizens that value education and are attending for that sole purpose. Most institutions take the safety of the student seriously and take precautions to keep students aware of safety concerns, which may put them in harm’s way.

A concern for Higher Education and the Student Affairs Professional is Campus Safety. Colleges have different types of plans in place to ensure the safety of their students, but sometimes things happen that are beyond their control. The campus security and administration are often faced with a decision to release or withhold information. Often times, when something happens and the threat is no longer valid, security and administrators choose to not release more information, so that the students on campus can remain calm. This means that institutions have responded and resolved the issue at hand. Sometimes, without warning, the issue flares back up and causes an even greater impact. That is when it gets difficult and institutions are charged with being negligent.

In the article Virginia Tech Was Not Negligent, State Supreme Court Rules, Sara Lipka explored about how the case has heightened and challenged expectation on college campuses. The Virginia Tech Shooting occurred on April 16, 2007. It has been deemed the deadliest shooting in United States History. Twenty-seven students and five faculty members lost their lives. As the article states, the State Supreme Court ruled that Virginia Tech was not negligent. Many families of the deceased have received settlements, but have differing opinions about the ruling of the State Supreme Court.

Incident and Parties Involved

Students at Virginia Tech scurried across campus as they do each day. The morning of April 16, 2007, two students were shot in a residence hall. The gunman went back to his dorm and changed clothes, went to the post office, and then returned to the campus and carried out the massacre. Thirty-two individuals lost their lives that day, including the gunman. Officials at the campus could not have foreseen a second set of shootings, and did not have a duty to warn the campus (Lipka, 2013). The information that was available to the university led them to believe that the shooter had fled the area and no one else was in danger.

Questions and Legal Implications

Many have questioned why the officials at Virginia Tech did not do more to keep the students safe and out of harm’s way. This debate has continued for almost ten years. The parents of the two students that were killed after the earlier incident allege gross negligence on the part of the University. The Petersons and Prydes feel that if the university had issued a warning, the students could have taken precautions, such as altering their schedule (Lipka, 2013). This case has been long and heartbreaking. The State Supreme Court ruled that campus officials could not be found negligent, because they had no way of knowing or even anticipated the gunman’s second burst of violence (Lipka, 2013). There have been large settlements given to families, and one lawyer stated that these verdicts represents accountability.

Conclusion

College campuses do a great job in keeping students safe. Mass shooting and acts of violence are very rare. The shooting at Virgina Tech caused many colleges and universities to look at their campus security system and make necessary changes. The threat assessment and emergency notification are thriving more than ever before. Tragedy lives in the hearts and mind of those affected for a long time, and although apologies have gone out and sympathy has been expressed, the hurt is still there. This act has made students, college, and universities aware of what can happen and to put preventive measures in place.