College Clips

By Brent Davidson

Published Oct. 26, 2007

Student group works for right to carry weapons at Western Kentucky University

Nathan Hayes trudged through the rain from class to class Monday with an empty gun holster hanging at his right side.

His T-shirt read, "Signs can't stop acts of violence, armed citizens can." The shirt also featured a handgun symbol surrounded by silk-screened bullet holes.

"We want to try to spark debate or just bring attention to the issue," Hayes said.

That issue, conceal and carry, has advocacy groups that have pushed for years for what they perceive as the right of citizens to protect themselves with concealed firearms. He said since the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shootings, college students across the nation have increasingly joined that platform.

Gene Tice, vice president of student affairs and campus services, said he disagrees.

"We feel the police force can provide for the safety of students and faculty," Tice said. "I personally don't feel that bringing guns on campus is going to help the situation."

— The College Heights Herald

(Western Kentucky University)

San Diego State University cancels classes all week because of fires

San Diego State University is in no immediate danger from the fires in San Diego County, but as a precaution, the campus will be closed for the remainder of the week.

"We have many faculty, students and staff spread throughout the county," said Jack Beresford, associate vice president of marketing and communications. "We've got others who are affected by it, and we've got parents who are worried. It's a huge tragic event without precedence in this county."

According to an e-mail sent out Tuesday afternoon from Sally Roush, vice president of business and financial affairs, the residence halls and essential campus services will remain open.

Beresford advised students who are living in the residence halls, the college area or any other non-evacuation area in the county to stay indoors whenever possible.

—The Daily Aztec

(San Diego State University)

Southern Illinois University: Not our job to contact parents in medical emergencies

Becky Booth said she wasn't angered by the way she found out about her son's death Thursday, although notification came about two hours after the first ambulance arrived on the scene.

Booth was notified about the death of her son, Alex Booth, by a Daily Egyptian reporter around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, roughly two hours after his roommate found him unresponsive in their Pierce Hall residence hall room. Although there was a lapse, SIU spokesman Rod Sievers said university protocol was followed.

Sievers said it isn't the university's job to contact the family in situations involving medical emergencies.

"Their job is to call 911, and at that point, (notifying the family) becomes a matter for emergency personnel, whether it be police or ambulance or whatever, depending on the situation," Sievers said.

— The Daily Egyptian

(Southern Illinois University)