Chancellor Cantor speaks on SU response protocols, resources, planned activities in light of VT tragedy

Chancellor Cantor speaks on SU response protocols, resources, planned activities in light of VT tragedyApril 17, 2007SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

As we here at Syracuse University keep the Virginia Tech campus community in our hearts and minds, our campus has come forward with an outpouring of condolence and support during the past 24 hours. Many members of our community have stepped forth to help us find appropriate ways to express our own sense of loss and desire to support our colleagues at Virginia Tech.

As part of this process, I invite you to join me and the campus community at a candlelight vigil this evening at 6 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. I also want to remind you that the University offers a wide array of counseling and support services for those that may have been personally and directly impacted by yesterday’s incident, or who are simply coping with the questions and emotions such a senseless tragedy creates.

Naturally, yesterday’s events have also prompted questions across the nation among students, faculty, staff and families about campus safety and security. The Virginia Tech incident provides a reminder for colleges and universities to examine and reevaluate campus safety and security. While we have extensive emergency response protocols in place — directed by our Department of Public Safety in partnership with the Syracuse Police Department — as an open university campus we must by necessity learn from every incident.

Therefore, yesterday afternoon the University’s Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) convened. The CIMT includes representatives from across campus, including public safety, residence life, academic affairs, communications and counseling services, and is charged with preparing and implementing crisis preparation and response plans for the University.

I have asked the CIMT and the Department of Public Safety to quickly analyze what we currently know about the Virginia Tech incident. That team will continue to meet with me and the University’s leadership in the coming days to examine our policies and protocols, and determine how we can learn from this tragedy.

As we continue to stand in solidarity with our colleagues at Virginia Tech, I encourage you to participate in a series of activities that will be taking place on our campus in the coming days in addition to this evening’s vigil.

Sincerely,

Nancy Cantor