As students mourn, Monday classes loom
Clark Ruhland, CT Senior Staff
April 20 2007
Students are the life of Virginia Tech. In light of the recent tragedy on campus, the university canceled this week of classes.
However, next Monday students will start to pick up the pieces and return to class. With a vast number of students at home, those who are still here, like freshman English major Michael Williams, are hesitant to predict what the first day back will be like.
"I think people will handle it differently," Williams said. "Some people need structure and that will help. If they were to force us to go, I don't know about that. But since they give us the option of how we deal with it, I think it gives people the escape that some people might need."
For the most part, those who have stayed in Blacksburg will be going to class on Monday, but there will be mixed emotions.
"I think it would be nice to go back to class because everyone has their fixed schedule, even though nobody knows what will go on the rest of the semester," said Will Cosby, a sophomore engineering major from Richmond. "Everyone can get back into the routine and take their minds off of everything. It will help everybody. I've heard both things. It's kind of split. They're not sure if they want to stay at home or go back to class."
Still, some here don't know if they will be able to concentrate in class.
"People are still affected by this whole thing," said Margaret Beale, a sophomore history major from South Boston, Va. "I haven't decided if I'm going back yet. Nobody I know has made that decision, but it will be a tough one. People need time to mourn and be with their families."
At this point, the individual colleges are handling their situations and how classes will be conducted for the final few weeks.
"I've gotten e-mails from two of my teachers," Cosby said. "One of them said that they'll cancel the final project or make it optional. The other one doesn't know what he'll do yet."
The awkward day will only continue with silence on Monday morning, a mere week after the event on campus.
"If we have it, I'll be there. It would be nice to get back into everything. We need something regular to look forward to," Cosby said. "Starting class on Monday is the right thing to do. It's bad if people are just sitting around and going home for the rest of the semester. At least try and save something up for the rest of the year."