Stephen F. Austin State University

Our hearts and prayers go out to all those in the Virginia Tech University family who experienced such a senseless, horrific tragedy on Monday. We share in the sorrow for the victims and their families and grieve for the great loss experienced by the Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff.

Although distance separates Stephen F. Austin State University from Virginia Tech, the event on that college campus can shake our sense of safety on our own campus.

In the open society that we live, even the best of preparation cannot prevent a random act of violence, but SFA is careful about providing a safe campus environment.

SFA employs a well-trained police force that is prepared to respond to emergencies. Emergency call boxes are located throughout the campus to immediately connect a caller with campus police, which is staffed around the clock every day.

While SFA has an emergency management plan that guides responses to a wide range of emergencies, the university will carefully review the Virginia Tech events and revise the plan if updates will provide meaningful improvements to the campus emergency response.

SFA residence halls will be holding floor meetings with residents today to review safety procedures and listen to students' concerns and questions.

In the coming days, the SFA family will hold several events to remember and discuss the Virginia Tech tragedy. You may refer to the university calendar on the homepage, sfasu.edu, for a complete list of events.