A Message from Steve Lyons, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

By now everyone has heard about the tragedy that occurred at Virginia Tech. It is almost impossible to think that this amount of violence can occur so suddenly, and then be so hard to respond to. For years to come, Virginia Tech will be studied in order to find new and better ways to prevent this from occurring anywhere else.

Some have asked the question about safety here at St. Scholastica because of this event. Colleges by their nature and design are open institutions. Welcoming to students, faculty, staff and friends to come and go at all hours. This openness and hospitality are one of the things that make colleges, especially ours I think, special places. Here individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and interests can come study and socialize together. Part of our mission here is to learn to live and work guided by a sense of values, rooted in social responsibility in a world that is increasingly complex and unstable. When 33 students are killed and 29 injured inside a college environment the very foundation of a college, the mission, is shaken. The human tendency is to lock up what we value most; our students, employees and friends, and try to do the impossible; keep out any possible threat, and ensure absolute safety. In these dark hours that Virginia Tech faces next, comforting families, reaching out to its students, it will be challenged again and again about why it couldn't have done more. Their greatest challenge may be to stay true to their mission and stay open to all who wish to enter.

Scholastica has always been a safe campus. But we can't guarantee what will happen in the future. The college has a comprehensive emergency response program in place. We keep it current and practice it. Part of the plan is rapid communication on multiple levels to all if a crisis occurs. We are well connected to all levels of local law enforcement and state and county agencies. Security staff are on campus 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. We have card readers, and cameras all around campus. We depend on all of you to keep an eye out for one another, to let us know if you see something suspicious. It is unlikely that we will ever need to implement our plans, but rest assured we are ready if we need to.

Look for announcements from Campus Ministry for ways in which to pray and honor those at Virginia Tech! If you have any concerns about safety here, let me know and I can direct you to more information. And please take a moment of thanks for the great community we have at The College of St. Scholastica .