Candle in the rain

As students began to extinguish their candles, the rain and tears began to fall in front of the Garden Theatre. Students gathered for the Virginia Tech candlelight vigil on Monday night, one week after the massacre occurred.

There were 54 volunteers who stood on stage, representing the 32 deceased victims and 22 survivors. The 22 survivor candles remained lit throughout the ceremony, while the 32 victim candles were extinguished with each chime of the Gunter Hall bell.

"Candlelight vigils say that light shines in the darkness and that hope outlives heartaches," Nancy Turner, counseling psychologist at the Counseling Center, said.

Turner encouraged students to stop by the center if they felt confused, angry, depressed, distressed or any other emotions corresponding to the Virginia Tech massacre.

President of the University of Northern Colorado, Kay Norton, started her speech describing the familiar and shocking feelings she had when the Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine shooting and attacks on Sept. 11 occurred. Assuring students of their safety, Norton said campus security is a responsibility shared by each student toward one another.

Norton continued her speech with the changes made at UNC. She explained how officials have increased police presence, looked over the procedures, looked at enhancing technology and informing the campus of emergency response training.

"Procedures, technology and rules alone will not keep us safe, and they will not help us heal," Norton said.

As a part of her speech, Norton added her insight about a mural being made in Virginia. The mural is called "Hands that Heal" and has open helping hands rather than closed fists of fear, Norton said.

The President of the Residence Hall Association, Sara Valencich, acknowledged the two lost residence assistants at VT. She called them campus leaders who hoped for student success, tolerance, diversity, academics and hoped for a community where all would find a second home.

"The shooting shook the department of housing and residence life significantly. In Virginia we lost two of our own," Valencich said. "These two victims were residential assistants."

According to Valencich, it should not matter whether students agree or disagree with their neighbors in the audience.

KellyRose Olson, president of the Student Representative Council, was happy to see each student realizing everyone is affected by the tragedy at VT by coming to the candlelight vigil.

Olson told the student body to keep all of those who have been affected - friends, family and victims - in their thoughts, not only in the vigil but weeks, months and years to follow.

"You're combined support is needed for all those who have been affected. You're combined knowledge is needed to ensure that this does not happen again," Olson said.

UNC's response to the VT tragedy has been more then just the candlelight vigil. On Friday "Orange and Maroon Effect" day was established as students wore the colors of VT. From now until April 30, students can sign cards at the University Center. These cards will be sent to VT.

As for additional information about campus safety, counseling, or campus matters relevant to the VT tragedy, students can visit the link http://www.unco.edu/vtresponse.