Comments on: Tragedy and Security http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/ Michael S. Roth became Wesleyan University's 16th president on July 1, 2007. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:17:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sherrie and Jeff Bitterman P'10 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18588 Sherrie and Jeff Bitterman P'10 Mon, 11 May 2009 00:55:28 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18588 Dear President Roth, Wesleyan Administration and Public Safety Officials, We would like to echo all of the gratitude for your excellent handling of this most difficult situation. We were in constant contact with our son and received all of your communications in a timely fashion. As a result, we felt as secure as possible that the students were in a safe environment. We were on campus today and saw the rhythm of the campus returning but paused at the flag flying low in remembrance of Johanna. May all of the Wesleyan community find peace in the days and months ahead. Sincerely, Sherrie and Jeff Bitterman P'10 Dear President Roth, Wesleyan Administration and Public Safety Officials, We would like to echo all of the gratitude for your excellent handling of this most difficult situation. We were in constant contact with our son and received all of your communications in a timely fashion. As a result, we felt as secure as possible that the students were in a safe environment. We were on campus today and saw the rhythm of the campus returning but paused at the flag flying low in remembrance of Johanna. May all of the Wesleyan community find peace in the days and months ahead. Sincerely, Sherrie and Jeff Bitterman P’10

]]> By: Nancy Colman http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18494 Nancy Colman Sat, 09 May 2009 04:31:41 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18494 I am heartsick that the life of this promising young woman was cut short by such senseless violence. And it grieves me deeply to think that the peace and security of the Wesleyan I knew as an undergraduate has been shattered and corrupted by this heinous crime. My own family would not exist if it were not for Wesleyan, where my husband and I met, and I have eagerly encouraged many young people to apply there. I know of three who will enter as freshman next fall. But through the depths of this darkness, I can see some glimmers of light: First, is the sensitive and resolute leadership demonstrated by you, President Roth. You have shown courage and hope to a community reeling in shock that extends far beyond the borders of the campus. Second is the emergence of Johanna's qualities of grace, intelligence and compassion. Sadly, though the gunman may have deprived the world of her life, we have been left with the broader knowledge of her exceptional character, and that is her lasting gift to all of us. Nancy Katz Colman `79 I am heartsick that the life of this promising young woman was cut short by such senseless violence. And it grieves me deeply to think that the peace and security of the Wesleyan I knew as an undergraduate has been shattered and corrupted by this heinous crime. My own family would not exist if it were not for Wesleyan, where my husband and I met, and I have eagerly encouraged many young people to apply there. I know of three who will enter as freshman next fall.

But through the depths of this darkness, I can see some glimmers of light: First, is the sensitive and resolute leadership demonstrated by you, President Roth. You have shown courage and hope to a community reeling in shock that extends far beyond the borders of the campus. Second is the emergence of Johanna’s qualities of grace, intelligence and compassion. Sadly, though the gunman may have deprived the world of her life, we have been left with the broader knowledge of her exceptional character, and that is her lasting gift to all of us.

Nancy Katz Colman `79

]]> By: Tony Saudek http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18467 Tony Saudek Fri, 08 May 2009 20:30:34 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18467 President Roth: My thoughts and prayers are with you, the Wesleyan community, and with Johanna's family. Is there any coordinated way that community members are expressing their condolences to Johanna's family, a memorial fund that we can contribute to? Something. Tony Saudek, '03 President Roth:

My thoughts and prayers are with you, the Wesleyan community, and with Johanna’s family. Is there any coordinated way that community members are expressing their condolences to Johanna’s family, a memorial fund that we can contribute to?
Something.

Tony Saudek, ‘03

]]> By: Shelley Payne http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18466 Shelley Payne Fri, 08 May 2009 20:15:19 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18466 President Roth, My son is a member to the freshman class. I am writing to both thank and commend you for the outstanding leadership you have shown during these most tragic and difficult last two days. Your admirable ability to keep us informed, promote calm, ensure that our children remained safe, reassure that we would all get through this, and remain sensitive to Johanna's memory and her family and friends is enormously appreciated. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Johanna's friends and family. Shelley Payne P' 12 President Roth,
My son is a member to the freshman class. I am writing to both thank and commend you for the outstanding leadership you have shown during these most tragic and difficult last two days. Your admirable ability to keep us informed, promote calm, ensure that our children remained safe, reassure that we would all get through this, and remain sensitive to Johanna’s memory and her family and friends is enormously appreciated.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Johanna’s friends and family.

Shelley Payne P’ 12

]]> By: Alexandra Lewis-Reisen '97 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18465 Alexandra Lewis-Reisen '97 Fri, 08 May 2009 20:06:03 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18465 I have spoken to many Wesleyan alumni in the last two days about Johanna's tragic death. All of us would like to do something, anything, to help her family and the Wesleyan community to commemorate this amazing young woman and her wonderful contributions to Wesleyan and everything she wanted to do for the world. President Roth -- Please let us all know what, if anything, her family would like us to do in Johanna's memory. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. I have spoken to many Wesleyan alumni in the last two days about Johanna’s tragic death. All of us would like to do something, anything, to help her family and the Wesleyan community to commemorate this amazing young woman and her wonderful contributions to Wesleyan and everything she wanted to do for the world.
President Roth — Please let us all know what, if anything, her family would like us to do in Johanna’s memory. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

]]> By: parents '11 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18461 parents '11 Fri, 08 May 2009 18:11:43 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18461 Dear President Roth and the Wesleyan Community: We would like to add to the praise expressed by many above for Dr. Roth's leadership and the Wesleyan community's courage during the last few days. We believe the right balance was struck in your response to the crisis, maintaining the safety of the members of the Wesleyan community without causing panic. Our hearts go out to all of you. Dear President Roth and the Wesleyan Community: We would like to add to the praise expressed by many above for Dr. Roth’s leadership and the Wesleyan community’s courage during the last few days. We believe the right balance was struck in your response to the crisis, maintaining the safety of the members of the Wesleyan community without causing panic. Our hearts go out to all of you.

]]> By: Janet Wilkerson P'09 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18459 Janet Wilkerson P'09 Fri, 08 May 2009 17:04:10 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18459 Thank you, President Roth, for keeping our young adults safe. We appreciate the university's rapid response and your emails to the parents, and we are also grateful to the Middletown Police. I have shed tears for Johanna all along, but now that the gunman has been apprehended, the mix of sadness and worry has been replaced by the grim realization that her family and friends must find a way to transcend the depths of their grief. They will be in my thoughts as they move from mourning the loss of Johanna towards celebrating her life. I am so, so sorry that this has happened to them and to the Wesleyan community at large. Ultimately, unconquerable gladness will dwell in all of our hearts again. Thank you, President Roth, for keeping our young adults safe. We appreciate the university’s rapid response and your emails to the parents, and we are also grateful to the Middletown Police. I have shed tears for Johanna all along, but now that the gunman has been apprehended, the mix of sadness and worry has been replaced by the grim realization that her family and friends must find a way to transcend the depths of their grief. They will be in my thoughts as they move from mourning the loss of Johanna towards celebrating her life. I am so, so sorry that this has happened to them and to the Wesleyan community at large. Ultimately, unconquerable gladness will dwell in all of our hearts again.

]]> By: betsy teutsch http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18458 betsy teutsch Fri, 08 May 2009 17:02:46 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18458 Dear President Roth- I want you to know how impressed I am at your sensitive leadership during this siege. No college president was having an easy year 2009-2010; I'm sure you were looking for a bit of respite from financial crises and enjoying the harvest of the class of 2009 and all the excitement about this year's yield. I have lived through and witnessed other communal crises - sometimes the leadership conveys defensiveness, clearly trying to make sure no one thinks their responses to the crisis are inadequate (as if they're fending off potential law suits?) and often missing the emotional point, addressing the shock and terror that students, faculty and staff at Wesleyan are experiencing, along with their extended families off-scene. Your messages have been clear and truthful, both from a human and procedural standpoint. Your team has been 150% responsible, creative, and proactive, working round the clock with police, students, staff, and the media. That can't have been easy. Hats off to you all. My daughter Nomi '11 lives in Buddhist House. They collectively decided to stay in place together, and reached out to friends on campus who were feeling isolated, maybe even somewhat abandoned when friends took off and they stayed. I thought it was a demonstration of communal living at its best, a true expression of Wesleyan. Get some rest! Betsy Teutsch Dear President Roth-
I want you to know how impressed I am at your sensitive leadership during this siege. No college president was having an easy year 2009-2010; I’m sure you were looking for a bit of respite from financial crises and enjoying the harvest of the class of 2009 and all the excitement about this year’s yield.

I have lived through and witnessed other communal crises – sometimes the leadership conveys defensiveness, clearly trying to make sure no one thinks their responses to the crisis are inadequate (as if they’re fending off potential law suits?) and often missing the emotional point, addressing the shock and terror that students, faculty and staff at Wesleyan are experiencing, along with their extended families off-scene.

Your messages have been clear and truthful, both from a human and procedural standpoint. Your team has been 150% responsible, creative, and proactive, working round the clock with police, students, staff, and the media. That can’t have been easy.
Hats off to you all. My daughter Nomi ‘11 lives in Buddhist House. They collectively decided to stay in place together, and reached out to friends on campus who were feeling isolated, maybe even somewhat abandoned when friends took off and they stayed. I thought it was a demonstration of communal living at its best, a true expression of Wesleyan.
Get some rest!
Betsy Teutsch

]]> By: Steve Goldberg P' 11 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18455 Steve Goldberg P' 11 Fri, 08 May 2009 16:06:07 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18455 Dear President Roth: Under such harsh circumstances, and everything in perspective, job well done. I cannot begin to imagine the stress between franctic students and parents, faculty, staff, not to mention undoubtedly conflicting advice from various police agencies. I am sure the thought of another Virginia Tech was not far from your mind. I am equally sure that very few, if any students, had thoughts in that direction, which must have made their demands inappropriate. At the same time, I am sure you were loathe to increase their anxiety level. Such a difficult position. I am glad you were in command. Many thanks, Steve Goldberg P'11 Dear President Roth:

Under such harsh circumstances, and everything in perspective, job well done. I cannot begin to imagine the stress between franctic students and parents, faculty, staff, not to mention undoubtedly conflicting advice from various police agencies.

I am sure the thought of another Virginia Tech was not far from your mind. I am equally sure that very few, if any students, had thoughts in that direction, which must have made their demands inappropriate. At the same time, I am sure you were loathe to increase their anxiety level. Such a difficult position.

I am glad you were in command.

Many thanks,

Steve Goldberg P’11

]]> By: Stephanie http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/05/07/tragedy-and-security/comment-page-1/#comment-18454 Stephanie Fri, 08 May 2009 16:00:24 +0000 http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/?p=428#comment-18454 Dear Sir, As the parent of a an incoming student who is female, Jewish and from Colorado, we read with horror about the events unfolding at Wesleyan. Our daughter grew up in the shadow of Columbine, and our 13 year-old son had, on the anniversary of that event, spent time under a desk in a closet at his school due to lockdown procedures following a Columbine-style threat. Sadly, we are all too familiar with the random nature of brutal and senseless acts of violence, and our hearts go out to the Justin-Jinich family and the community of Wesleyan. One lesson learned from these tragic events is that frequent, honest and clear communication is essential. Without this, rumors and fear can take over. We appreciated viewing the frequent security updates available on the website. However, we still have many questions. Any opportunity you have to explain to students and families about: 1) the events that led to the tragedy, 2) the successes and failures about how the investigation and apprehension proceeded, including whether security measures taken were adequate, and 3) what changes in security and communication may be implemented in the future, would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Stephanie Wasserman Parent of a Member of the 2013 Class Dear Sir,
As the parent of a an incoming student who is female, Jewish and from Colorado, we read with horror about the events unfolding at Wesleyan. Our daughter grew up in the shadow of Columbine, and our 13 year-old son had, on the anniversary of that event, spent time under a desk in a closet at his school due to lockdown procedures following a Columbine-style threat. Sadly, we are all too familiar with the random nature of brutal and senseless acts of violence, and our hearts go out to the Justin-Jinich family and the community of Wesleyan.

One lesson learned from these tragic events is that frequent, honest and clear communication is essential. Without this, rumors and fear can take over. We appreciated viewing the frequent security updates available on the website. However, we still have many questions. Any opportunity you have to explain to students and families about: 1) the events that led to the tragedy, 2) the successes and failures about how the investigation and apprehension proceeded, including whether security measures taken were adequate, and 3) what changes in security and communication may be implemented in the future, would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Wasserman
Parent of a Member of the 2013 Class

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