For some students, faculty and staff, the recent shooting at UB's Mid-American Conference counterpart, Northern Illinois University, hits home when they reflect on the many similarities between the two campuses.
"We have some connections there," said Jen Wantz, assistant director of student activities for Student Life.
Heather Saba, a junior sociology major, pointed out several ways in which UB and NIU are alike, and thinks it's important for students to realize the similarities and show their support.
"I think it's important for UB students to be aware and remember because NIU's school size is basically the same, and the number of students is the same," Saba said. "It's a very similar campus."
Tim Britt, a sophomore business major, first heard the news while he was eating dinner and watching CNN on Thursday night. He said the full extent of the situation didn't hit him until he made the connections between UB and NIU.
"Someone told me it happened in a room a lot like Knox 20," Britt said.
To acknowledge NIU's losses, and the difficult time ahead, Student Life set up a table in the Student Union Lobby on Friday afternoon with a fabric banner and markers available for anyone to write a message. Red and black ribbons representing NIU's school colors were also distributed.
"It's a really good idea because people want to do something but can't really go to NIU to show their sympathy and support, so this is a way to show our sympathy," said Shakira Henderson, a sophomore classics major. "As collegiates, we're all together in this."
Messages written on the banner were based largely on feelings of faith, hope and sorrow.
"Everyone here sends their prayers and thoughts," read one.
Another said, "So sorry for your loss."
"I thought people would need words of encouragement," said Gee Delgado, a freshman political science major. "I wrote, 'God bless, keep strong and never give up.'"
Many students that stopped to sign the banner believe what happened at NIU can happen on any college campus, and could not think of a feasible way to put a stop to the recent trend.
"Their faces are on TVs...they become infamous for it," Henderson said. "It's a never-ending cycle."
Britt thinks it could be an impossible task to stop someone who has decided to go through with an attack.
"It's horrible that these things keep happening," Britt said. "It's tough because it all depends on the person. There's only so much you can do to keep it safe when a person cracks. If it happens, it happens. I don't know if it can be prevented."
The same group of students said they continue to feel safe at UB.
"I trust the UB campus and the police," Delgado said. "Here at UB, they are very responsive to incidents."
Saba agrees, but realizes that UB, like any college campus, is not immune to an event like this.
"I don't think about something like that happening at UB," Saba said. "I feel safe here at UB, but it can happen to anyone."
According to Wantz, a table will be set up again on Monday in the Student Union Lobby to collect more signatures and messages. The banner will be sent to NIU.
In addition to the signature banner and the ribbons, the University will take several steps to show support and give there condolences to the victims and NIU as a whole, much like those taken last spring semester after the Virginia Tech shootings.
The student remembrance flag, which flies in the Lee Loop on North Campus and is lowered in the event that a UB student dies, will be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims.
On Monday, a memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. in the SU Theater. According to Wantz, several campus ministers have planned the service.
"Doing these programs assists in the healing process," Wantz said.
This tragedy made many students thankful that UB has not yet had to deal with a situation like that of NIU, Virginia Tech, and the recent shooting at Louisiana Technical College in Baton Rouge.
"I think it's really devastating for a lot of people, especially those who live it," Delgado said. "I just say that UB is very blessed that nothing like that has ever come close to here."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
