"To the Brandeis Community

The events that took place yesterday at Virginia Tech have shaken academic communities
throughout the nation and the world. I have written to President Charles W. Steger to express
our community's deepest sympathy and condolences. I have asked that our Brandeis University
flag be lowered to honor the memory of those who lost their lives at Virginia Tech. Our thoughts
and prayers are with the members of the Virginia Tech academic community and the families and
friends of all those who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy.

In the days ahead, we will learn more about the events that took place leading up to this national
tragedy. We are at this moment reviewing our own safety and crisis communications procedures.
I want each and every member of the Brandeis community to know that the administration has in
place an emergency procedures program, which we update regularly. This plan has been
developed in cooperation with safety officials from the City of Waltham, including the Police and
Fire Departments, the State Police and relevant federal officials. The Brandeis Senior
Administration is meeting with me to discuss any additional safety measures or procedures we
may wish to consider in light of the Virginia Tech tragedy.

During this very difficult and anxious time, I encourage you to talk with one another, and seek
out the resources we have on the campus to help deal with the shock and sadness we all feel.
For students, I suggest you speak with residence life professionals, members of the chaplaincy or
with a professional in the counseling center. There will be services and vigils in the next few
days at Brandeis and elsewhere. I encourage you to attend and share your grief and concerns.
There will be a solidarity prayer vigil at 5:00 p.m. today in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium.

In the meantime, be assured that we are doing all that we can do to maintain a safe and secure
community at Brandeis."

Jehuda Reinharz, President of Brandeis


I have spent the second evening watching reports from the campus of Virginia Tech. Why on earth did it take so long for the police to arrive? Students from a room, which they barricaded with a table and so prevented the shooter to come in, sent e-mail messages to BBC News, but could not make someone to come in almost an hour... Another thing that strikes me is the answer - people have been suggesting that students should have been allowed to have weapons on campus, so that they would have been able to protect themselves. What? A response to a gun massacre is more guns? Crazy country...