Violence on College Campuses
Virginia Tech could probably have avoided the terrible massacre of 2007 had its officials taken more timely and effective action with Seung Hui Cho. He had a very long record of mental illness dating back to middle school, including fantasies of violence and murder, and he had received psychiatric treatment in the past. His behavior at Virginia Tech was so disturbing to students and faculty that a court ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation in 2005, although he refused all counseling. University officials did not discuss his case with each other or even with his parents for fear of violating state and federal confidentiality laws, although their interpretation of these was mostly incorrect. Even though medical and psychiatric records are confidential by law, there is an exception for students like Cho who are deemed a danger to themselves and others. Not only did he receive no psychiatric care, but he was also able to purchase two handguns in Virginia in violation of federal law. Since the tragedy at Virginia Tech, though, other universities have revised their policies and procedures so that they can identity potentially dangerous or mentally unstable students like Cho, and have them suspended, expelled or ordered into mandatory psychiatric treatment. This is exactly what colleges and universities should be doing, since the safety and security of the larger community must override privacy and confidentiality concerns in these cases.
The Massacre at Virginia Tech and the Failures of the University Administration
Seung Hui Cho fatally shot thirty-two students and faculty at Virginia Tech in 2007, and wounded seventeen before killing himself. He had a long history of mental illness dating back to middle school, and the university was aware of this, yet its officials also believed that federal and state privacy laws prevented them from discussing or disclosing this information. Cho had received psychiatric...
Campus Security Measures The impact of mass shooting at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) on April 16, 2007 continues to be felt across the United States and internationally due to a massacre that killed 27 students and five faculty members. Following the weeks after the shooting, the university conducted several extensive reviews and analysis to better understand the attack and provide strategies to prevent future attacks in the
The same students who sponsor night walks to check the lighting and grounds to increase safety will hold the door open for a stranger entering their residence hall. Despite frequent warnings, students - and even faculty, administrators, and other campus personnel - act less judiciously than they would elsewhere." (Siegel 1994). Seaman (2005) agrees, saying, "Typically, there is a social encounter in which a certain amount of kissing or other
Conflict Resolution: Analysis of the Virginia Tech Shootings This paper examines the horrible tragedy that struck Virginia Tech on that took place on April 16, 2007. This paper goes on to examine things such as the delays of reporting the correct information of the shooting at its early stages to the poor security that was put in operation. It also explores the life of disturbed student and what possibly led up
Abstract This paper analyzes the case of Seung-Hui Cho, who killed dozens at Virginia Tech in 2007. The paper examines Cho’s background, his mental illness, the way in which reports of the investigation and incident were changed to hide the inept responses of administrators and police. The paper also examines changes that were made to protocol following the massacre and discusses lessons that can be learned from this incident and how
That is to say, I believe students and faculty members have a right to protect themselves no matter where they go to school, and because we can't say what university will be targeted next, it is important that we extend this right to those attending classes or working at universities in this congressional district. Although Texas would not be the first state to allow concealed carry weapons on college campuses,
As a result, both handguns and long guns are available in many states, with more than half of American households owning one or more firearms. This perpetual access to deadly weapons is the primary reason that completely eliminating school shootings may be impossible. Schoolyard bullying, low self-esteem, dysfunctional families and troubled teens who fantasize about lashing out violently will always be factors in the educational institution environment, despite continual efforts
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