1.  Purhnel Meek  March 27,2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Penn_State_2007_Spri ng_Game_-_VT_section.jpg Purhnel Meek PR Research and Strategies, Florida A&M University March 27, 2012

2.  April 16, 2007 marks the date of one of the deadliest school shootings in the United State’s history. The massacre took place on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.  In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 33 people and wounded 15 others before committing suicide.  The massacre received international media coverage and drew widespread criticism of U.S. laws and culture.  It sparked intense debate about gun violence, gun laws, gaps in the U.S. system for treating mental health issues,

3.  Although there was no clear reason why the perpetrator targeted students, Cho, a senior English major at Virginia Tech had previously been diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder.  During much of his middle school and high school years, he received therapy and special education support.  In 2005, a Virginia special justice declared Cho mentally ill and ordered him to attend treatment after he was accused of stalking two female students. Following an investigation, Lucinda Roy, one of Cho’s professors, had encouraged him to seek counseling. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/16/us/ 16cnd-shooting.html?pagewanted=all

4. Tuesday, April 17  9:15 a.m.: Virginia Tech Police Department released name of shooter as Cho Seung-Hui and confirmed the death toll of 33.  2:00 p.m.: A convocation ceremony was held at the university community at Cassell Coliseum. President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine were among the many people in attendance.  8:00 p.m.: A candlelight vigil was held on the University Drillfield http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2007_Virginia_Tech_massacre_candlelight_vigil.jpg

5. Wednesday, April 18  8:25 a.m.: A SWAT team entered Burruss Hall, a campus building next to Norris Hall. No explanation was immediately available. Virginia Tech's public affairs office stated that police were responding to "suspicious activity".  4:37 p.m.: Local police authorities announced that television network NBC received correspondence from Cho, some of which included images of him holding weapons, writings, audio recordings and videos. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ChoSh.jpg

6. Thursday, April 19  9:49 a.m.: Virginia Tech announced that all students killed on Monday will be granted posthumous degrees in the field in which they were studying. Friday, April 20  Cho's family issues statement of apology. June 12, 2007  Cho's family allows the release of Cho's records to the Virginia Tech Incident Review Panel. August 30, 2007  The Virginia Tech Incident Review Panel completes its report, which is now publicly available. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Virginia_ Tech_massacre_candlelight_vigil_Burruss. jpg Timeline provided by: …/Virginia_Tech_massacre_timeline

7. What worked well:  Deployment of state personnel in the aftermath of the shootings.  The initiative to send Red Cross crisis counselors to help friends of victims grieve.  The shootings also renewed debate surrounding Virginia Tech's firearms ban What didn’t work well:  Communication between facilities while the shooting was taking place.  The enforcement of gun control and illegal items on campus

8. Do this:  Ensure the interconnectivity on campus is quick and efficient  Allow immediate transparency to issues involving campus, regardless of how severe (or miniscule) it may be. Don’t do this:  Wait until “the time is right,” to distribute information. By the “time it’s” right, the school may be facing a lawsuit! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File: Virginia_Tech_Balloons_released_ over_NEZ.jpg