Would you allow your child to attend Virginia Tech next fall?

Parents Forum
201

<p>I want to add my story for anyone who has a student accepted to VT and wondering if they should allow them to go.</p>

<p>We are from northern New England. When my daughter was in 8th grade, we took my son to visit VT. He chose Penn State instead, but my daughter announced at that time that she would be going to VT. Four years later, she applied Early Decision – never wavering on that decision. She knew she belonged there. When she received her acceptance letter, she cried with joy. So in the fall of 2005, we sent her 800 miles away from home. </p>

<p>We have just now returned from VT with our daughter. She returned with us, not due to fear, but due to the logistics of driving to VT to be with our daughter, returning home, and then having to return again 10 days later after finals. </p>

<p>After having been there for a week, I can honestly say I am incredibly proud my daughter is a member of the VT community. I will not hesitate to let her return next year. She has also made it clear to us that she is returning. We were actually asked that question while on campus by a father, who was there with his son for a tour. Our answer was “Absolutely, she will return.”</p>

<p>The faculty, students, law enforcement, and administration of this institution have, IMHO, handled this tragedy with a strength that simply amazes me. My daughter’s professors have bent over backwards to help her wrap up her classes, so she could return home with us. They did this for her, as well as hundreds of other students - while somehow coping with their own grief. They not only lost students, they lost colleagues and friends themselves. </p>

<p>One professor lost his own daughter. When we met with one of my daughter’s professors, he spoke of how he spent the day with his colleague, while they tried to find her. The pain in this man’s eyes for his own friend was deep – yet he somehow found the time to meet with my daughter to discuss her grades. And then he hugged her as we left and said “Go home and be with your family”.</p>

<p>I hate what happened more than words can ever say. But I am proud of my daughter and proud of the VT community. I am amazed at how the students have not allowed the media to scapegoat the administration or law enforcement. There will be time to review what happened later. Now is the time to honor and mourn for the victims and help the survivors. How incredibly mature for a bunch of 18-22 year olds.</p>

<p>As my brother said, these students have had the last bit of their innocent youth ripped violently from their lives. But – they are the Hokies, and they will prevail. If your son or daughter wishes to be a part of that community – do not take it away from them. I can’t think of a better place to be.</p>

202

<p>IF either of my kids had an interest in attending a great school where a horrible tragedy had occurred, I would not stand in the way of either of them. We'd talk about the pros & cons and how what happened at the school may affect their college experience and allow them to make the choices best for them.
My S chose to go to a school that is not in the "best" neighborhood & in fact is very near Watts & the Rodney King riots. He went there with our blessing, after we had discussed the safety issues, including the recent tragic murder of a HI student near campus. It he wanted to transfer to VT at this time, we'd discuss it as well. I have also been very impressed by VT & how they have supported their students and families; it sounds like a wonderful place, and the tragedy just illuminates it.
Violence and horrible events can pretty much everywhere. It is a leap of faith each of us takes when we & our kids go off to distant places. It does make us glad when we have loved ones within a 1/2 to 1 hour of our kids' campus when these types of events occur. Somehow, it just makes us feel slightly more secure.</p>