ISU Students React to Threat of Violence

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Mar 16, 2008 at 7:38 PM CST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2008 at 7:38 PM CST

AMES -- It's spring break at Iowa State, so only 30 of about 500 students were inside the dorm during the threat.

But for them, it was a long, scary night as police poured through dorm rooms.

Students who chose to stay on campus during spring break expected to spend a quiet week in the college town.

"I really had to check the website a few times to see if it really was occurring because it is spring break and no one's here. So, I didn't believe it at first," Iowa State student Emma Reed said.

Administrators notified students about the threat at about 1:40 Sunday morning.

"The campus handled it pretty well. They sent e-mails and they called and contacted as many people as they could. I also had a lot of friends that called me," Iowa State student Josh Hinrichs said.

While students felt good about the notification, the thought of a potential gunman on campus scared them.

"I had a very hard time getting back to sleep. I locked my doors, of course, and i had my phone by my side in case something else happened," Reed said.

Hinrichs was also shaken by the incident. "First, Virginia Tech. Then, it went to Northern Illinois and then something at UNI...a supposed gunman there. Now, Iowa State. It just keeps getting closer and closer which is kind of frightening,” he said.

Administrators have about a week to analyze how they handled the situation and decide if they need to make any policy changes before students get back from spring break.

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