Another poll

[RPB]

Apparently VT was sued by members of the victims family. There was a civil suit against the University President which I believe was dismissed based off of Sovereign Immunity, could't find much about it. However, the University did pay $11 million to the families of the victims via a settlement to "avoid a court battle over whether anyone besides the gunman was to blame".

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24050712/ns ... nd_courts/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

state settlement, not the college


That link you gave says ...
ROANOKE, Va. — Most families of victims of the Virginia Tech shootings have agreed to an $11 million state settlement to compensate families who lost loved ones, pay survivors' medical costs and avoid a court battle over whether anyone besides the gunman was to blame.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday a "substantial majority" of families of victims of the Virginia Tech shootings agreed to the settlement.

So, that looks like a class action against the State.

Wonder why the State paid?.... for allowing a State U to infringe on a right to self-protect... for allowing a State U to fail to provide security ? allowing a State U to hide the mental health records a year or two?
Dunno.. probably won't ... it's quieter to settle out of court.

And
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/05/us/06 ... .html?_r=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Kenneth R. Feinberg, the Washington lawyer who directed the federal program to compensate relatives of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will oversee the distribution of the $7 million that has been donated to Virginia Tech
In this case, he will handle $7 million in private money

Victims may also be eligible for money through a state compensation fund for victims of violent crime, university officials said. Mr. Feinberg said that such state funds typically pay between $2,500 and $5,000.

I retract my former statement that it was nice of VT to give $ to the families ... unless they did. I don't see that it cost them a dime yet.

[idrathernot]

Yes it was a state settlement for a state U but "By accepting the proposal, family members gave up the right to sue the state government, the school, the local governments serving Virginia Tech and the community services board that provides mental-health services in the area.". Sounds too me like the State felt potential liability for all of the listed parties or they wouldn't have crafted it into their hush payment.

[RPB]

Soooooooooo it cost taxpayers and lives, and families, ...... not the school.