THE IMPACT of the Virginia Tech shooting has provoked a variety of concerns about campus safety across the nation. The University responded quickly in some ways to the threat of such an attack on Grounds, but there still needs to be work done in identifying students who could potentially have mental health problems. This is not simply a means to prevent a tragedy, but an end worthy unto itself.
The starting point for this discussion must be the Virginia Tech Review Panel set up by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine three days after the Virginia Tech tragedy. In the time since, the panel has held two public meetings, including one at the University in July, and released a comprehensive report. From examining this report, it is clear there was a failure in communicating the mental health problems Cho was having to the proper authorities.
A misunderstanding of privacy laws at Virginia Tech (and let us not be too naïve to believe such a misunderstanding could not exist here) caused several individuals and organizations to leave their information on Cho unreported. According to the report, "Privacy laws can block some attempts to share information, but even more often may cause holders of such information to default to the nondisclosure option -- even when laws permit the option to disclose."
Furthermore, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) does not apply to personal observations and conversations with students. Faculty can tell anyone -- administration, parents, or even their next-door neighbor -- about unusual behavior from a student. Faculty must be trained to understand these privacy laws and the scope of their ability to report incidents.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) does give presentations to faculty about identifying students who could have mental health problems, according to CAPS director Russell Federman. Such presentations will soon be extended to teaching assistants. Federman sent me a copy of the most recent Power Point presentation given within the last year by former Dean of Students Penny Rue and himself. The presentations contain a variety of symptoms to consider in the potentially mentally unstable student, such as isolation, poor academic performance or lack of response to empathic contact.
The Power Point slides did not go into detail about the extent of the faculty's ability to report incidents. Overall, however, they do provide the faculty with a foundation in dealing with troubled students. Interim Dean of Students Allen Groves said he and Federman would continue these presentations to faculty. Unfortunately, faculty and even teaching assistants often do not spend the time with an individual student to identify potential problems or abnormal behavior. As Groves himself stated, "Students are the best source of information."
Students, then, must be targeted to ensure they understand the options for themselves and anyone they might know. According to Federman, CAPS usually relies on students to identify themselves. "In identifying students," Federman said, "we don't have much of a role." However, deans, faculty, resident advisors and friends can encourage the troubled individual to seek help. Under only unusual circumstances does CAPS make the first contact with the student and this only occurs rarely, said Federman. Just as faculty must be educated about their abilities to report incidents, the University needs to educate students so they understand the accessibility of these options for themselves and others.
First years receive the best information about CAPS and other resources available. Dean Vicki Gist said via e-mail that first years receive information about the services of CAPS and many other resources on Grounds during their second meeting with their Resident Advisor. Unfortunately, this information can be lost in the glut of paperwork thrown at first years and the emotion of living on their own for the first time. Upperclassmen rarely ever come in contact with this information.
Groves seemed to echo these sentiments. Discussing the University's response to the Virginia Tech Panel Review, Groves said, "It may be that one of the conclusions that we draw is that students don't retain the information from the first year and we need to get it out there."Groves suggested possibilities such as the newly-installed Newcomb Hall LCD screens, so students will know the proper outlets to seek the help they or their friends need. With some work by both students and administration, we can prevent a tragedy and, perhaps just as importantly, go a long ways in helping troubled students on Grounds.
Rajesh Jain's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at rjain@cavalierdaily.com.
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