THE FUTURE OF NORRIS HALL AT VIRGINIA TECH

BACKGROUND

On April 16, 2007 , a student at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia shot and killed 32 people and wounded many more before committing suicide.

The tragedy makes it the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history
Most of the deaths and injuries took place on the second floor of Norris Hall, which houses the Engineering Science and Mechanics program program among others

DECIDING WHAT TO DO WITH NORRIS HALL

Norris Hall was closed for the rest of the 2007 spring semester, and was reopened on June 18, 2007.

The building's second floor , site of the shooting, has been reopened for office and laboratory access. But The second floor rooms where the attacks took placed have remained empty and locked

In September 2007, University officials asked a committee to gather suggestions for what to do with the rooms once used for classes…

Over the next few months the 12-member committee of students, faculty and staff received seven suggestions from the university community.

This month (November 15) the Virginia Tech task force narrowed down the final proposals to two.

PROPOSAL #1: Re-Creating a Student-Centered Community,

PROPOSAL #1 calls for using the space to consolidate operations for the school's engineering department and create videoconferencing, research and laboratory facilities for students.

PROPOSAL #2: the Institute for Transformative Learning,

The SECOND PLAN calls for for creating an Institute for Transformative Learning in a portion of Norris where classes were once held and engineering departments had their offices. The institute would house two centers - the Center for Violence Prevention and Peace Studies and the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships.

THE FINAL DECISION???

"Both (proposals) do fit the mission," said Mark Owczarski, university spokesman. "One involves teaching and learning and the other involves learning and service. Both do directly relate to the mission; the question is which one would relate the best. The charge of that task force is extremely difficult," said Owczarski. "Obviously the future of Norris Hall has a very emotional element to it."

The task force's goal is to submit the final proposal to President Charles Steger by Dec. 7, but Ozwarski said that if the task force feels that further deliberation is necessary, the date will be pushed back.

"It's something you can't rush," Ozwarski said. "So many human elements are in this that they want to make sure they get the feedback and consider all the various options. It's a decision not to be taken lightly."

RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF THE VICTIMS SPEAK OUT
Michael and Jeri Bishop, parents of slain professor Jamie Bishop, are joining with other parents, relatives and friends of the those killed, injured or affected in urging that at least a portion of Norris Hall be turned into "The Institute for Transformative Learning"

"There could be no more fitting tribute to those who survived than to acknowledge the horror that occurred in Norris Hall and to redeem that horror by establishing, within its repainted walls, an "Institute for Transformative Learning".

Though no one will ever forget that morning or the lessons implicit in it, people often have to be reminded repeatedly of matters that they would prefer to forget.

That is why it is important to set aside space in Norris Hall to remember, analyze and prevent further acts of the sort that killed their loved ones.

Even if it starts humbly, the center could grow steadily in size and influence until it worked positive change across our nation and the world.

Please join us in urging President Charles Steger and the Virginia Tech Task Force to favor the option to transform Norris Hall "the Institute for Transformative Learning".

PLEASE HELP US

Below are the email addresses of those who will decide the future of Norris Hall. Please email them and let them know that you support converting parts of Norris Hall into "The Institute for Transformative Learning"

You can copy all of the addresses and paste them into your email address bar or click an address to email them one at a time.

Judy.Alford@vt.edu
deaneng@vt.edu
jbixler@vt.edu
kpdepauw@vt.edu
hochella@vt.edu
adeelk@vt.edu
knocke@vt.edu
mcdonalk@vt.edu
jenowak@vt.edu
sottrowlands@vt.edu
jwm@vt.edu
mmcnamee@vt.edu


In the subject heading of your message:
I support the "The Institute for Transformative Learning" option for Norris Hall.
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JACQUES' NOTE:

The above is one of two Comments sent me by the Norris Hall proncipals, in response to my post of 11/29/07 ("The Bravest Man"). The above are the datails, FYI. I regret that the graphics they included cannot be viewed here. If interested, please see their Blog: http://norrishall.blogspot.com/

Today is St. Nicolas in my native Belgium: our version of Christmas with "Le Pere Noel". It is also the second day of HANUKKAH, the Feast of Lights for all the Jews in the world: May your Holidays be Blessed with Joy, Good Health and Peace!

And, to the family of the late Dr. Liviu Librescu, my heartfelt sympathy and support go out to you...This year, may your Hanukkah be a celebration of your own Hero!

Warmly,

Dr. Jacques Girard