Shock and Outrage

There is no appropriate title for this post. I am reeling, as we all are, from the tragic events yesterday at Virginia Tech. The slaughter of students and faculty is simply beyond comprehension.

I am not a hovering, quarter-backing parent–at least, I don’t think so. I let the college administrators at the schools my kids go to do their jobs. Perhaps blindly, I entrust them with my children’s safety and well-being. Is it any easy job? Absolutely not. Even under the best of circumstances.

However, I have a growing sense of unease about the security on our college and university campuses, and today the questions surrounding the response of senior administrators immediately following the first shootings grow and demand answers. Where were their crisis plans? Why did it take more than an hour for the administration to send warning emails to students?

Rome burned while the senior administration was writing a press release.

Our campuses are easy targets, our kids are sitting ducks, and why, in a post 9/11 and post-Columbine world, are we are fearful of taking significant action unless and until something truly horrific happens?

I wish I knew.