ON THE ROAD: 8 cross the BreezeJames Madison University's Student Newspaper ilume 84,1 Tuesdoy, September 4, 2007 * Students local swimming hole Report raises questions about response time 1 Va. Tech president responds, defends university's actions /I F BYKUYCONNIFF 1 « !. ^f JflWB ■ ■ A report recently released by (Jov. Timothy M. Kaine offers insight and some criticisms about 5 the security response time and past mental health treatment of shooter Seung-Hui Cho in the Virginia l* **' Tech tragedy. After the shootings, Kaine appointed an eight-per- •S son panel to study the incident, with special attention to the response time between shootings. Kaine s panel found that the delayed response between the early morning shootings at West Ambler Johnston Hall and the later and more deadly shootings at Norris Hall -* In %-. was a factor in the death toll, according to MSNBC. *- - The report stated that more lives could have been saved if the administration had warned students, fac- ulty and staff of Virginia Tech immediately after the first shooting. The report has raised questions among many students about the necessity and timing of the reports, ISH1FT HOnaHV—w >UuB»ti the contents of which have been hotly debated. Illegal parking, trespassing, underage drinking and littering ore all reasons lor heightened poke pttsewe at Hue Hole in coming weeks. "1 think we should let the situation lie," JMU senior Patricia Ross said. "You can look back on what we could have done better, but I think it's pointless to Police tighten security at Blue Hole after receiving complaints from residents examine it at this point in time." The report also delved into past recommendations BY ASHLEY HOPKIMS .IMU students have mixed feelings on QK matte* for mental health screenings for the shooter that were mm tm Sophomore Shea Kelly thinks there are some benefits ignored. Cho was previously red-flagged for his behav- to tightened security. ior and schoolwork throughout his tenure H a student "I think it's a good thing if they're doing it to clean up in Fairfax County Public Schools and at Virginia Underage students drinking at Blue the trash," he said. Tech. Although the report choee not to assign blame Hole may find themselves in hot Sophomore Sam Amateis disagreed and said that to these institutions, it said that Cho should have water. people come out to Rawley to relax without restrictions. received better treatment for his illnesses, according Police are tightening security at "I don't think it's a good idea because not as many to The Washington Post. The issue is complicated Blue Hole, located in Rawley Springs, people will come," she said. further by privacy laws, which often hindered access Va.. for the few weeks in an effort to Senior l>errick Scott, who visits Blue Hole two to to his records, leaving a lack of a paper trail about his reduce illegal activity and improve safety in the area, three limes a week when it's warm, however, said that he problems. reported the Daily News-Record. The change occurred will continue coming to the swimming spot, despite the This issue remains divisive for many, although after police received complaints from residents. increased restrictions. He added that he hasn't noticed Virginia Tech officials and others maintain that the "We've had complaints about the parking and some too many changes in security, expect for "the cop that immense tragedy was unpredictable, even after the of the neighbors have complained about the noise," Sgt. was here when [he] got here," telling visitors to move first shootings. Andy Muncy said. their cars into a designated an i Even this small change "It was really hard to know what was going on at The main complaints included illegal parking. trrs- had its downfalls. that time," Ross said. "He was really elusive; I don't passing, underage drinking and littering at and HU "It makes Blue Hole less accessible," he said. blame the police for thinking it was an isolated inci- the swimming hole. After checking out Blue Hole, Amateis has also noticed the increased restrictions dent." Kockingham County officials decided to increase patrols on parking and said that Saturday was the first day she The governor's report was challenged by Virginia throughout the area, according to the DN-R. had ever seen a cop come down to the hole. Tech President Charles Steger. who continued to "We plan on doing it for at least a month or two and As of now, residents living in the area do not want it adamantly defend the security response time of the then well re-evaluate it," Muncy said. closed. see VT, PHI 3 JMU named top Death reported at Rockingham Hall masterVlevel school U.S. News & World Report ranks 66 university highest in Southern region Ryan's death reminds us of the fragility of human life and should encourage us all to reach out to BY SHAYNA STRANG *Hff»ri«if support and nurture our friends For the fourteenth year in a row, James Madison and colleagues. University has been named US. News & World Report's top - UNW00D ROSE master's-level public university in the South. MMJtf "It is a real credit to the faculty and staff of the university." President Linwood Rose said. "We have routinely delivered excellence while being funded significantly below many of the -»9 institutions to which we are routinely compared." Each year, private and public schools across the United States are separated by their level of program. These separa- Hmmm/jmmm. tions include national and master's universities, business and Feldman wos a uphomore and resident of Rodcingrwm Hall, locotid on Port Republic Rood engineering programs, liberal arts colleges, and baccalaure- ate colleges. The different levels are further divided into four geographic areas, North, South, East, and West, before being Ryan Feldman of Richmond, 19, a The entire JMU community sends its day, the fact of the matter is that he is no ranked according to numerous categories. For the 2008 sophomore at JMU, died on Thursday deepest sympathies to Ryan's family." longer with us." America's Best Colleges Guide, almost 30 public mastn \ afternoon as a result of a self-inflicted According to Rockingham Hall Director University Spokesman Don Kgle said level universities were ranked in the Southern region, with wound. The university received confir- Jess Horton. she has received offers of that there are no further updates. JMU coming out on top. mation of the cause of death from the help from other hall directors, members JMU is offering counseling MTvio* "Anytime a national magazine works on something like medical examiner in Roanoke late Friday of Residence Life staff, the Counseling es to anyone who has been affected by this, it is a privilege to be included." JMU Spokesman Don afternoon. and Student Development Center. JMU this unfortunate loss of life. Please con- Egle said. "We are all deeply saddened by the loss Police, friends and students. tact the JMU Counseling and Student In total, 574 universities were ranked this year, including of one of our own." said JMU President "Ryan's death will continue to affect Development Center, located in Varner the University of Mary Washington, Longwood University, Linwood H. Rose. "Ryan's death reminds many people for a long time, some more House, for support and counseling. Mary Baldwin College and Radford University. Each school's usof the fragility of human life and should than others and to varying degrees," she rank is based on an overall score that includes many cat- encourage us all to reach out to support said. 'It does not really matter when, or -from staff reports egories, ranging from the average graduation rate to the and nurture our friends and colleagues. how. or why he died. At the end of the Editor: Kelly Conniff www.lhebreeze.org Editor: Shelly Ntel 2 I Tuesday, September 4, 2007 tSncme (540) 568 6749 CLASSIFIEDS • How to place a classified: Go to www.lhebreeze.org and click on the Underage possession classified link or come into the office weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 POLICE LOG p.m. BY KELLY CONNIFF/copy edHor A non-student was charged with underage pos- • Cost: $5.00 for the first 10 words, $3 for each additional 10 words; boxed classified. $10 per column inch. larceny session of alcohol at Ashby Crossing August 25 • Deadlines: noon Friday for Monday issue, noon Tuesdav for Thursday at 1:58 a.m. issue. A JMU student reported the theft of a sil- • Classifieds must be paid in advance in The Breeze office. ver $200.00 Mongoose bicycle that was left A JMU student was charged with underage unsecured at a bike rack between 6:00 p.m. possession of alcohol at the intersection of Port August 26 and 7:30 a.m. August 27 Republic Road and I-81 August 25 at 2:13 a.m. ihi MMRTISING STAFF A JMU student reported the theft of a A non-student was charged with underage pos- •.Uaik-W.kMlMi.Breeze $150.00 cell phone left unattended on a session of alcohol on Devon Lane August 25 at AdA Manager: 12:40 a.m. Editor-in-chief Mary 1 inner* < 7«r*t« lJis.i Thompson table at PC Dukes August 26 between 1:30 Gil Harrison L\TkLsav Hooper >f.inut/iri« clitor Evan IK son \ssist;int \ils p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 1 AttOT Ashley llopkini Brittmy Hanger Manager Ad DeMgiter*: A non-student was charged with underage pos- Sen* editor KakiRh Mailer Erin Ki)<-\ BliC Initl Astf.