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Virginia Tech Shooting

Brian Leiter

In view of the horrific mass murder at Virginia Tech today, I invite members of the philosophical community there to post any pertinent information pertaining to the status and safety of its students and faculty.  I hope you are all safe!

UPDATE (1:13 PM Central Standard Time, so 2:13 pm East Coast time):  Kevin Klipfel, an MA student in Philosophy at Virginia Tech, writes:

Thank you very much for your concern. I’ve talked to several people in the department and everyone seems to be safe. I was not on campus at the time of the shootings, nor were most of the people I’ve talked to. Those who were told me that the building the philosophy department is in was on lockdown for a couple hours, but that they’re now home safely.

Norris, where the second shooting took place is very close to the philosophy department; most of what you see on television is taking place in a very familiar area of campus.

I don’t have much to report besides what you can learn from the national news media, although to the best of my knowledge, the faculty and graduate students in the philosophy department appear to be safe.

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3 responses to “Virginia Tech Shooting”

  1. Michael Sevel

    Andrew Garner of the VT philosophy department has just reported to me that everyone in the department is safe. They were told at some point this morning to evacuate immediately since the second of the two shootings (in the science/engineering building) occurred across the street, a matter of feet, from the philosophy department. Let us keep them all in our thoughts – the fact that this massacre occurred within an especially peaceful and wonderful community of students and faculty, on such a beautiful and isolated campus, makes all this even more horrific.

    Reply
  2. Michael Sevel

    Bill Fitzpatrick of the VT philosophy department has just confirmed what Andrew said, that everyone who was in the philosophy dept at the time of the shooting are safe. However, Bill could not confirm whether any one from the department (faculty or students) were in Norris Hall this morning. Having been a graduate student there, I know that philosophy classes are frequently taught in that building, so it is possible some department member were present when the shooting occurred. It may be some time before we can learn the details.

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  3. Joe Pitt

    I can report that the Virginia Tech faculty and staff are ok – so are our grad students. I have not heard about our undergraduates – no names have been released. We are, needless to say, in shock.

    joe pitt
    Department Head

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