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• Campus reacts to Virginia Tech shootings

UW-River Falls Chancellor Don Betz has sent condolences to his Blacksburg, Virg., counterpart and campus officials have announced a candlelight memorial service in River Falls tonight in the wake of Monday's mass killing at Virginia Tech.

"The UWRF community is deeply saddened by the tragic events that transpired Monday morning on the campus of Virginia Tech University. Our condolences go to those members of the Virginia Tech community that lost friends and family in this senseless act of violence," wrote Betz in a message distributed on campus Tuesday morning.

"It is an unfortunate reality that acts of violence do occur on the campuses of colleges and universities. For that reason, UWRF has been moving forward with a comprehensive, all-hazards emergency preparedness effort. These include pre-disaster mitigation planning, site specific emergency response teams and plans, and an emergency operations center."

In a letter to President Charles Steger, Betz offered deepest sympathies "to you and to the Virginia Tech family.

"The acts that occurred yesterday are unconscionable and leave all of us searching for explanations that can aid us in comprehending the circumstances of this tragedy. Please know that the entire Virginia Tech community is in our thoughts and prayers, and that we here at UW-River Falls join the nation in mourning your loss."

Gregg Heinselman, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, invited students, staff and faculty to attend a candlelight memorial service at 8 p.m., Tuesday to remember the Virginia Tech University campus community in the wake of yesterday's tragedy. The program will be held on the south side of the University Center by the fire pit.

Heinselman also advised that UW-RF officials are "actively aware of and concerned about the safety and security of our campus community. Our residence hall staff have been proactive in facilitating dialogue on safety issues and counseling referrals for residents and we encourage students to pursue these avenues of assistance if they feel the need."

A memorial table will be set up in the University Center to collect thoughts and to leave remembrances in honor of the students and faculty Virginia Tech University lost Monday, Heinselman said.