In particular, we should remember those in our ASU family who came to us from Virginia Tech and still have relatives and friends in Blacksburg. We know this must be a particularly difficult time for them. Our own community had a similarly painful time just a few years ago, so we should be particularly sensitive to the feelings of these individuals.

While we grieve, we must also seek understanding. From every tragedy come many lessons, and we must learn those lessons quickly in hopes that we can avoid future incidents.

We need to be increasingly sensitive to the needs of our students. We must be alert to opportunities where we might intervene and help make a troubled life better. This is not easy, but we must not quit trying.

Arkansas State University-Jonesboro officials have been and will continue to look at every reasonable option for improving campus safety and security. Safety of our students, faculty and staff is of paramount importance to us. I have asked University Police and emergency management personnel to re-examine our disaster preparedness plans that we would put into place in the event of any major crisis, either natural or man-made. We will meet next week to review those plans.  They will be disseminated throughout the university community. We can never be over-prepared.

Encourage your students and your colleagues to be constantly mindful of those around them and their surroundings. While we do not want fear to hamper the learning environment we enjoy daily on a university campus, we should continue to use reasonable precaution to avoid exposure to dangerous situations.

The Counseling Center staff is available for those who need help, and faculty and staff also have access to the Employee Assistance Program for counseling services.

Emergency telephones that ring in to University Police are placed strategically throughout the campus. Security cameras were already on order and are expected to be operational at Northpark Quads by Monday. Additional options are being considered.

Again, please join me in extending our sympathy to those who have suffered incomprehensible loss as a result of the tragic events at Virginia Tech. Through our collective efforts here at ASU and with other institutions of higher education, may we soon see the day when campus violence is only a distant memory.

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