Virginia Tech defends actions on day of shooting
by Saira Haider | The Collegiate Times (Virginia Tech)
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: News
(U-WIRE)BLACKSBURG, Va. — After the release of the reports from the panel created by Governor Tim Kaine, Virginia Tech President Charles Steger has no intention of resigning and believes that Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum acted adequately for the situation.
"I have nothing but admiration for Chief Flinchum, and his job is not in jeopardy," Steger said.
Steger, along with University Provost Mark McNamee and Larry Hincker of university relations, said that the Virginia Tech Police did "just what they should have done" when handling the events of April 16.
Steger defended the University's actions and said that University officials and campus police did the best they could in a situation of that magnitude, but agreed that the results of the report meant that change should be implemented at Tech.
"It is painful to hear the blunt and, in some cases, critical findings. Yet, it was necessary," Steger said.
According to Steger, the University will be implementing three major recommendations to improve the ability to identify problems.
Those recommendations are:
"Refining and expanding the Care Team, a key student affairs group that identifies and responds to students at risk (among other responsibilities)," Steger said. "Creating a Threat Assessment Team charged with examining the most complex cases of distressed students and empowering it to act quickly, when necessary. Expanding case management capacity by adding case managers to the dean of students office and Cook Counseling Center to improve follow-up with students and to improve information flow through appropriate units about students at risk."
Hincker and McNamee also talked about a list of measures that the university has already taken, including added security measures, locks in classrooms and 24-hour key card access to residence halls. All these additions will help to expand their resources, McNamee said.
"I have nothing but admiration for Chief Flinchum, and his job is not in jeopardy," Steger said.
Steger, along with University Provost Mark McNamee and Larry Hincker of university relations, said that the Virginia Tech Police did "just what they should have done" when handling the events of April 16.
Steger defended the University's actions and said that University officials and campus police did the best they could in a situation of that magnitude, but agreed that the results of the report meant that change should be implemented at Tech.
"It is painful to hear the blunt and, in some cases, critical findings. Yet, it was necessary," Steger said.
According to Steger, the University will be implementing three major recommendations to improve the ability to identify problems.
Those recommendations are:
"Refining and expanding the Care Team, a key student affairs group that identifies and responds to students at risk (among other responsibilities)," Steger said. "Creating a Threat Assessment Team charged with examining the most complex cases of distressed students and empowering it to act quickly, when necessary. Expanding case management capacity by adding case managers to the dean of students office and Cook Counseling Center to improve follow-up with students and to improve information flow through appropriate units about students at risk."
Hincker and McNamee also talked about a list of measures that the university has already taken, including added security measures, locks in classrooms and 24-hour key card access to residence halls. All these additions will help to expand their resources, McNamee said.
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