Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Silver View Post
You're so right. I'm watching CNN at 4AM and the tone seems to be focused on why the University did not respond in a different way (like you can really have a plan to deal with the unfathomable?!?!?), but the armchair quarterbacks of the media will never focus on this one fundamental truth -

today is a blessing and tomorrow is not a promise.
I teach in a small High School, and yes, we plan for the unfathomable. All doors, except the front door, are locked on the outside, but can be pushed open from the inside. No one can enter from the outside without help. Propping or opening the door to strangers has severe consequenses. It's darn inconvenient, and we complain, but I don't think anyone will have a problem with it today. Only the front door is open, it's by the office and has a security camera on it. Visitors cannot go beyond the front door without approval. In the case of an emergency, we have a code word. If we hear that word from anyone, we are to lock our doors and keep our students in the classroom. In February, our local university had a student threaten others on campus with a white powder. The university was immediately locked down, classes cancelled, and commuters informed by the media to stay away. Entrances blocked, until the student was found and arrested.

No one thinks it can happen to them, but it takes just one crazy person. We plan, practice, (yes, we practice keeping them in the class when told) and we are doing our best to keep the students safe. I certainly appreciated the efforts at UMR, since my son is a student there. Some people think they over reacted, but in hind sight, their actions were appropriate. I'm not saying that it can't happen to us, but I think that schools everywhere should be more prepared for the "unfathomable".

I, too, am wondering why classes were allowed to go on when this man was still at large, and I'm sure this will come out in the next few days, as the questions are already starting. I can't imagine the anguish and second guessing the president of Virginia Tech must feel.

My thoughts and prayers go to everyone at the university, family, friends and employees.