That same day, all Tech students were notified via the VT Alerts system to be on the lookout for a man between 25 and 35 years of age who had been seen masturbating in the lounge of a dorm here on campus by a female Tech student.
The man confronted the student when he called out in an attempt to get her attention. To us all as individuals, as members of the Tech student body, as residents of Blacksburg, surrounding towns, the distinguished state of Virginia and as citizens of the United States, we should all be in complete and utter shock - but I'm afraid we're not.
Following the acts of April 16, students, facility and parents were told that security would be increased to ensure a much safer campus. The police staff was increased, all dorms were equipped with limited access - allowing only residents entry to dorms. A system known as VT Alerts was instituted to send critical warning e-mails, texts and voicemails to students and family members, and 201 electronic message boards were installed that would instantly warn those in class in the event of a dangerous situation in classrooms.
Tech has declared a safer environment for us all, so why do so many of us still feel apprehensive? As students, we continue to receive e-mails from President Charles Steger encouraging all students to "be vigilant" and "be aware of your surroundings." While this is always good advice, at the same time it can't help but increase already high levels of anxiety and general uneasiness.
While I understand that Tech has made a sincere and gallant effort to improve security on campus, still I find myself looking over my shoulder as I walk between classes or toward my car. When in my apartment, I not only bolt-lock my door but now chain-lock it as well. I carry pepper spray on my key ring and no longer enjoy the walk from bus stop to apartment in the evening.
I am not alone. My roommates, classmates and neighbors share similar feelings and worries. It is critically important that the Tech administration, the Virginia Tech Police Department and Blacksburg and State Police Departments open a dialogue with us all so we can begin to understand what is happening, what has happened to cause this fear and to answer our questions.
Are the events that happen on campus here a normalcy, following the normal trend of violence on college campuses around the globe? Or have the recent security enhancements failed? What now appears to be a steady stream of criminal acts involving aggression and violence in and around campus has worked together to discourage and desensitize our community. This is unhealthy and a step in the wrong direction.
We need the help of the administration and law enforcement authorities to communicate with us all and set a healthy course and to answer the question: How safe is Tech?
