Oregon University System campuses are organizing counseling services for students who may need support today and in the upcoming weeks.
(PORTLAND) - On behalf of the State Board of Higher Education and the Oregon University System, Chancellor George Pernsteiner on Monday expressed his concern and sympathy for the students, faculty, staff, families and campus community at Virginia Tech for the tragic shootings which occurred Monday morning.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this terrible incident at Virginia Tech,” said Pernsteiner. “When incidents such as this occur, it naturally raises concerns for everyone about the safety of students in our own schools and educational institutions. The Oregon University System campuses are organizing counseling services for our own students who may need support today and in the upcoming weeks, and working with local public safety partners to address campus and individual concerns. Each campus has in place emergency preparedness plans for student and campus community safety in the event of any type of crisis. We will continue to monitor the information from local authorities in Virginia reporting about the incident, so that we can use it to help review our own tactical and readiness plans to ensure the utmost preparedness for any incident that may put our students or communities at risk.”
Pernsteiner noted that public safety agencies and educational institutions continue to participate with their community partners to encourage the prompt reporting of suspicious activity or information regarding on campus concerns that students and staff may have.
“Our public safety partners remind us that everyone should work together, whether in our communities or on our campuses, to prevent these horrific incidents from happening, including reporting any information regarding planned acts of violence which students, campus community members, or the public may learn about.”
Law enforcement agencies train and plan for tactical responses to these types of incidents in Oregon’s schools and on its campuses.
For example, training and planning for a tactical response at the Oregon State University campus has been completed; this planning involves the Oregon State Police University Area Command, OSP SWAT Team, Corvallis Police Department and other law enforcement.
The University of Oregon also recently participated in a tactical response exercise with local law enforcement.
The Oregon University System
Campuses:Eastern Oregon University (La Grande)Oregon Institute of Technology (Klamath Falls)OIT Metro Campus (Portland)Oregon State University (Corvallis)OSU Cascades Campus (Bend)Portland State University (Portland)Southern Oregon University (Ashland)University of Oregon (Eugene)Western Oregon University (Monmouth)Oregon Health & Science University (Portland -- OUS affiliate)
Centers:Southwestern Oregon University Center (Coos Bay)CAPITAL Center (Beaverton)
See the other Salem-News.com reports on the Virginia Tech school shooting: April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Launches Memorial Website to Honor Shooting Victims (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Gunman Identified (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Victims, Gunman Names Coming Out from Massacre at Virginia TechApril 17, 2007: Memorial Fund Established in Wake of Virginia Tech MassacreApril 17, 2007: Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Virginia Tech TragedyApril 17, 2007: Massacre at Virginia Tech Leaves 33 DeadApril 16, 2007: Oregon Universities to Offer Counseling in Wake of Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: State Schools Superintendent Issues Statement on Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Death Count at Virginia Tech rises to 33 Including GunmanApril 16, 2007: Death Toll Rises to 32 in Virginia Tech Campus ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Virginia Tech Campus Shootings Leave 22 Dead; Gunman KilledApril 16, 2007: Police Report Multiple Fatalities in Virginia School Shooting
Oregon Universities to Offer Counseling in Wake of Virginia Tech ShootingsSalem-News.com