2008 Woodie Awards
Webster not prepared for attack
By: Steve Beutel
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Letters to the Editor
- Page 1 of 1
After hearing of the Virginia Tech shootings, I had hoped President Meyers would address the issue and how we as a Webster community could be pro-active in such a circumstance. After reading the Journal article, "Virginia tragedy prompts reflection," I am rather saddened by this poor excuse for a plan.
President Meyer's office used to be on the first floor of Webster Hall, but was moved following the terrorists attacks in 2001. Was this to prevent terrorists from attacking him? Was it to remove himself further from the student body? Was it simply to accommodate a growing need for office space?
One can only speculate the reasoning, but we do know that he has the luxury of a reserved parking place, something that his predecessor did not have, close to Loretto Hall and an office on the third floor of the same building. In the event of an attack, he would be safe in his secluded office, with telephones and locks.
In addition, many students do not know who the president of the university is, much less what he looks like. However, the situation would be different for us students. In the event of an armed intruder, Webster's No. 1 recommendation is that students and staff "immediately lock themselves in the room."
How is this possible when many of the classroom cannot be locked from within? Take a look at the classrooms on the second and fourth floors of Webster Hall for just a few examples. Webster further recommends calling public safety, if possible. We should know Webster relies on our cell phones, because each room does not have a phone that can be used to make outside calls in this sort of emergency. The recommendations of locking windows, staying away from windows, and staying together almost seem like common sense. Yet, the recommendation to stay clam seems absurd given the lack of resources that would be available.
I for one can tell you that in such a situation it would be hard to stay calm knowing that you have no way of locking a door or
having any sort of communication with the rest of the campus. I suggest that, before Webster makes lame attempts in making us feel safe, they look to the precautions that President's Meyers receives. We all deserve the same.
Steve Beutel
Junior
Music Education
President Meyer's office used to be on the first floor of Webster Hall, but was moved following the terrorists attacks in 2001. Was this to prevent terrorists from attacking him? Was it to remove himself further from the student body? Was it simply to accommodate a growing need for office space?
One can only speculate the reasoning, but we do know that he has the luxury of a reserved parking place, something that his predecessor did not have, close to Loretto Hall and an office on the third floor of the same building. In the event of an attack, he would be safe in his secluded office, with telephones and locks.
In addition, many students do not know who the president of the university is, much less what he looks like. However, the situation would be different for us students. In the event of an armed intruder, Webster's No. 1 recommendation is that students and staff "immediately lock themselves in the room."
How is this possible when many of the classroom cannot be locked from within? Take a look at the classrooms on the second and fourth floors of Webster Hall for just a few examples. Webster further recommends calling public safety, if possible. We should know Webster relies on our cell phones, because each room does not have a phone that can be used to make outside calls in this sort of emergency. The recommendations of locking windows, staying away from windows, and staying together almost seem like common sense. Yet, the recommendation to stay clam seems absurd given the lack of resources that would be available.
I for one can tell you that in such a situation it would be hard to stay calm knowing that you have no way of locking a door or
having any sort of communication with the rest of the campus. I suggest that, before Webster makes lame attempts in making us feel safe, they look to the precautions that President's Meyers receives. We all deserve the same.
Steve Beutel
Junior
Music Education
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