Editor's note:You can also read a letter from Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef discussing the tragedy.

Even as the campus community struggles to believe the unbelievable and mourns the loss of 33 lives at Virginia Tech on Monday, the tragedy is reinforcing the importance of UC Davis' own emergency preparedness efforts.

Campus flags flew at half-staff this week. Student leaders also organized a candlelight vigil for 7 tonight on the Memorial Union Patio and asked those who attend to bring candles.

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef wrote to the campus community on the day of the shootings: "I know I join so many across our campus and across the nation in expressing profound shock and sadness at the horrific shootings at Virginia Tech and in extending our deepest sympathies to all who are coping with this unfathomable tragedy.

"Our thoughts turn, as well, to how important it is that our own campus be as prepared as it can be for such an unthinkable circumstance," he added. "Our campuswide emergency management team focuses on both prevention and response and continually assesses the campus's readiness."

Valerie Lucus, campus emergency planner, said in an interview, "We've begun to assess this tragedy and incorporate its lessons into our ongoing emergency training and planning program."

In fact, the campus has already taken the first steps to improving its systems for quickly notifying students, faculty and staff about an emergency — something that Virginia Tech has come under criticism for not doing soon enough.

A few months ago, the campus put out a request for proposals for systems that could automatically send text, voice and e-mail messages to those who voluntarily register their cell phones, landlines, pagers and e-mail addresses. Four vendors are scheduled to make presentations in mid-May.

In Vanderhoef's Monday message to the community, he pointed out that the campus's emergency efforts are supported by UC Davis' own full-service police and fire departments, the Campus Violence Prevention Program, and counseling services offered through the Academic Staff Assistance Program and Counseling and Psychological Services for students.

On Tuesday, more than 500 people at the annual Soaring to New Heights event in Freeborn Hall — the first major UC Davis event since the tragedy shocked the nation — observed a moment of silence for the victims at Virginia Tech.

There, the chancellor voiced the frustration felt by many. "I really wish there was something we could do to fix it all," Vanderhoef told the gathering, which recognizes contributions to community life and diversity. "It's just not possible. We can share their sorrow."

The chancellor said the event was an opportunity "to come together as a campus, come together as a community, come together as a family." And he said he was thinking of another campus family and its pain.

At Dateline's press time, campus religious groups were to have held a gathering on Wednesday (April 18) to offer the campus community an opportunity to pray, reflect and support one another.

The tragedy is more poignantly felt at Davis for the personal ties between the two campuses, including research relationships and alumni working at UC Davis. Mark MacNamee, onetime dean of what is now the College of Biological Sciences, has served as provost at Virginia Tech since 2001.

Michael Parrella, associate dean in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and professor of entomology, was to be at Virginia Tech today to receive an alumni award. He earned a master's degree and doctorate from the school, where he also met and married his wife.

Looking ahead, the chancellor reminded community members of the steps they can take to help ensure their safety and the safety of others on campus:

• Be sensitive to your surroundings and report any suspicions to the police department by dialing 911 from a campus phone or (530) 752-1230 from a cell phone; and
• Be familiar with campus policies related to emergency response.

"With your help, we can best ensure the continued safety and well-being of all members of our campus community," he added.

More information

A link to the chancellor's message is posted on the campus's home page at http://www.ucdavis.edu.