Spring Break
Students react to threat
Alisha Cowan
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
As students learned about the threat of a shooting targeted at the Western Illinois University campus this morning, reactions of the incident ranged from fear to confusion.
"I'm scared to walk outside. Basically I feel safer inside, but I'm scared to walk through campus," said Ashley Rita, freshmen LEJA major.
The University Union, where Rita was, is typically packed with students during the lunch hours. With only a handful of students present, the affects of the threat were evident. Krystal Scott, junior LEJA major and Sbarro's employee, said a lot of workers called off, and everyone was given the option of leaving or staying at work.
Senior interdisciplinary studies major Joseph Christian, a co-worker of Scott's, chose to stay at work but continued with caution.
"It just kind of makes you look over your shoulder constantly, looking around questioning what could happen, and what might happen," he said.
"It's all surreal. It went from no one knowing to everyone knowing," he added.
Most student reactions were similar, and many vowed to stay as safe as possible but to continue on with daily routines.
"It's a horrible thing to have to worry about. We're here to get an education, and we have to worry about our safety. I can understand how people don't want to go to class, but it's not going to stop me from going," said Magdalena Zielonka, senior communication major.
Beginning at 6 p.m., the student patrol service offers escorts for students wanting to walk across campus. Call the OPS office at 309/298-1949 to request an escort; the service runs until 2 a.m.
Sarah Cash contributed to this article.
"I'm scared to walk outside. Basically I feel safer inside, but I'm scared to walk through campus," said Ashley Rita, freshmen LEJA major.
The University Union, where Rita was, is typically packed with students during the lunch hours. With only a handful of students present, the affects of the threat were evident. Krystal Scott, junior LEJA major and Sbarro's employee, said a lot of workers called off, and everyone was given the option of leaving or staying at work.
Senior interdisciplinary studies major Joseph Christian, a co-worker of Scott's, chose to stay at work but continued with caution.
"It just kind of makes you look over your shoulder constantly, looking around questioning what could happen, and what might happen," he said.
"It's all surreal. It went from no one knowing to everyone knowing," he added.
Most student reactions were similar, and many vowed to stay as safe as possible but to continue on with daily routines.
"It's a horrible thing to have to worry about. We're here to get an education, and we have to worry about our safety. I can understand how people don't want to go to class, but it's not going to stop me from going," said Magdalena Zielonka, senior communication major.
Beginning at 6 p.m., the student patrol service offers escorts for students wanting to walk across campus. Call the OPS office at 309/298-1949 to request an escort; the service runs until 2 a.m.
Sarah Cash contributed to this article.
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