On April 23, 2007, America was stunned by the horrible shooting at Virginia Tech. These types of events do not discriminate among age, economic status, or race. Being a biologist and also studying forensic psychology, I compare a rampage such as this to cancer. It does not take just one event to trigger a mind to cause such pain in so many people’s lives. It takes a compilation of various factors building into the human mind to resort to the ultimate form of retaliation. If we can catch the occurrence of these factors early enough, we may be able to prevent a tragedy like this from happening.
A tragedy like this is hard to prevent. Recently, there have been many criticisms regarding the way RPI copes with mental health issues. We have a system in place that addresses these problems well and has been advancing even before the tragedy. The administration realizes that a school that works its students harder than most others needs an established way of dealing with problems. They also know that a tragedy like the one at Virginia Tech would put a permanent dent into RPI’s reputation. Therefore, it is not advisable—especially at an economical standpoint—to skimp on the counseling services.
A psychiatrist will be hired in the upcoming semester to help manage problems that a psychologist cannot solve, such as prescribing medications to those that need it. Obviously, it will be another member on the staff that can accept students for counseling, alleviating the work load of the other counselors slightly.
Additionally, a recently added procedure has been put into place where students can get a note from the health center as an excuse to get them out of class. Causes for concern could arise when it comes to tests. (Please do not abuse it that way.)
The Counseling Center has many eyes and ears on campus, including the professors, the staff of Residence Life, the Dean of Students Office, Public Safety, and many other staff members around the campus. If you cannot find someone to talk to, then you are not looking hard enough. I truly feel that one of the best ways to release stress is to talk about it to a neutral party. Seung-Hui Cho, the student responsible for the catastrophe at Virginia Tech, did not talk to many people at all. Whatever feelings he had inside just continued to build and build until it blew up in a violent and deadly rage.
Believe it or not, there are also certain things many of us do that can compromise our safety. For one thing, opening a door, in which you have card access, for someone else, or even leaving it propped open, may be detrimental to the residents of the building. Cho did not have access to West Ambler Johnston Hall, but got in because someone let him in, not knowing that he would shoot two people in the building. No one would think that such a casual act could result in an event of this magnitude But, that is the worst that could happen.
Hopefully, we have all learned something from the tragedy and we will continue to grow as members of a complex society.
