Today I spent a good part of the day absorbing the veritable sea of media coverage of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech. In my surfing, I came across a BBC article about campus security entitled “How do colleges try to keep students safe?” Of note was the name-dropping of our fair institution:

At the University of Delaware, in the quiet town of Newark, for instance, students simply carry key cards to enter halls of residence. Colleges often insist that students sign in their guests, but according to many students, that rule is rarely enforced.

Even if universities have security measures in place, they can hardly prepare for violence on the level of the Virginia Tech shootings.

“There are no metal detectors or anything like that to get into the dorms, so if this person had a key card, there would be nothing preventing him from walking in with a gun,” said Kaitlin Hoffman, a 2005 graduate of the University of Delaware.

“You hope that you’re safe, particularly in a small town like Newark,” she added. “But events like this make you think otherwise.”

Aside from the misconception about guest sign-ins (don’t hold the door, kids), Kaitlin raises an excellent point. A lack of walls and metal detectors on a public college campus, that is. The article concludes with an infographic depicting a “model campus security” situation resembling an embassy or military installation- but for learning!

In my infinite wisdom, I have come up with my own take on possible security utopia:

HOW MODEL CAMPUS SECURITY COULD WORK Few campuses have elaborate security, but experts suggest the following options could help keep staff and students safe 1) Wall provides physical barrier between campus and the real world, keeping the rest of society safe from free thinking and STDs 2) Small petting zoo attracts prospective students 3) Advanced technology will placate disgruntled with illusion of being in the traditionally calming airport atmosphere 4) Cameras mounted throughout campus will allow university to market its own reality show to producers 5) Justin Timberlake broadcast system 6) Wingdings

Humor aside, campus security is a growing concern. As evidenced by the frequent crime in Newark, and the shootings in Blacksburg, a small-town setting does not preclude crime and tragedy. Effective law-enforcement, public education, and increased mindfulness among students, faculty, and the community is the solution. An unfortunate reality of the “Virginia Tech Massacre” is the unexpected and random aspect. You can’t prepare for such cold brutality. We can, however, let it make us smarter, more aware, and more sensible about our vulnerability.