Apr 20, 2007 3:12 PM

Solemn vigil links campuses in mourning

As darkness descended across the campus April 19, glowing candles and heartfelt sentiments illuminated DeNeve Plaza where some 200 UCLA students and others assembled in response to the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech.

"We are gathered here to honor the memory of the students, their families and friends," said Marwa Kaisey, president of the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC). "We send our deepest condolences from our campus in Westwood to their campus at Blacksburg."

The solemn candlelight vigil was organized by USAC in collaboration with the Office of Residential Life (ORL). Bridget Le Loup, resident director at Hedrick Summit who oversaw much of the planning, said that while students have been in communication via e-mail, cell phones and social networking Web sites like Facebook, "they were really feeling that they needed an outlet, something more than online. Students wanted to come together and show that we still feel safe on our campus, that we're connected and support each other."

Don Hartsock, the first UCLA ombudsman, who spoke at a memorial six years ago following Sept. 11, offered brief remarks, as did ORL Director Suzanne Seplow. Then the names of all 32 students and faculty killed at Virginia Tech were read, and an "open mike" was made available to the gathering.

"The horrible events that occurred in Blacksburg occurred everywhere as we watch them struggle with the massacre of defenseless people," said Hartsock. "Now we are forever connected. We are all family now … adopted by tragedy."

Said Seplow: "Our hearts are heavy today at UCLA as we try to cope with the enormity of this horrific event. I am proud to see so many of us here to pay our respects to another college campus." She added that Chancellor Norman Abrams had wanted to attend but was enroute to Washington, D.C.

Seplow encouraged the students to support one another. "Don't underestimate the opportunity to connect," she said. "Be conscientious and concerned for one another."

Among those attending was first-year student Jenna Hartsell, who said, "We need to show people at Virginia Tech that we're in solidarity, that we're thinking about them."

Second-year student Danny Torres said that the tragedy hit close to home for him. "Reading the bios of the students killed – some were just starting out. It's a horrifying experience for their families."

Elizabeth Gong-Guy, director of Student Psychological Services, invited students to use the center's resources. "We're here to offer you whatever support you need. We're a good group of people to come and talk to," she said.

All members of the campus community were invited to write personal messages on fabric patches that will be assembled into a quilt to be sent to Virginia Tech. Patches that can be decorated are available at the Center for Women and Men in the Student Activities Center.

One student who stepped forward to the podium said she had known one of the slain Virginia Tech students, who had been about to celebrate her birthday. "I can't believe she's gone," the student said, "and that I'll never see her again."

See these stories for more:

Could it happen here? Plans in place to safeguard campus

Be alert to warning signs of a student in crisis

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