Local colleges react to the Ohio State Shooting

JACKSON, Tenn. — “Oh gosh. I feel terrible. I couldn’t even imagine that if that ever happened to someone I know; that would just kill me,” said Alice Wilkerson, a student at Union University.

The Ohio State University attack Monday morning is an incident that all students hope will never happen to them. But staff at local colleges said, it reminds them how important is to be prepared for anything.

“Just to see something of that nature if always a concern. It makes you think again of what the things your trying to do and the reasons why they’re important,” said Dr. Horace Chase, Interim President at JSCC.

Jackson State Community College and Union University said this incident should not scare students, just remind them to take advantage of campus systems implemented to alert them of an emergency situation…

“It is announced over our intercom system, campus-wide,” said Darron Billings, Health and Safety Director at JSCC. “We have a text messaging system, a Jackson State alert. Which is also used.”

And to be conscious of your surroundings; urging students, if you see something, say something.

“We don’t take anything lightly. Everybody that calls in or notifies us with some kind of concern, we check it out,” said Johnny Jines, Safety Supervisor at Union University.

Union University students told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News, they are not too worried about emergency situations happening there on campus, due to the fact that they consider it to be a safe environment.

“It seems pretty safe on campus and I think Union has a good tie with the community. And I feel like we’re all really safe here,” said Wilkerson. “And I feel like the whole campus is like a big family.”