Pantagraph.com | News | ISU: Security wasn’t compromised in death of former student

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Geez....... wrote on Sep 5, 2007 8:08 PM:

" "Hmmmm" what is your problem? Let it go already. Go find another article to blog about and let this one rest in peace! "

Learn to move on wrote on Sep 5, 2007 6:56 PM:

" Sorry to say, but it is not for you to decide what anyone deserves. There is nothing else to be said. As much as it bothers you to not have your curiosity satisfied, you'll just have to move on with your life, as we are trying to do with ours after such a great loss. I only hope you never have to suffer such a loss. I'm sure your opinion would change in an instant. If not, may God be with you. "

Hmmm wrote on Sep 5, 2007 12:38 AM:

" Dear "No Idea, Hmmm"? Since you took the time to respond to my post, perhaps it's time for me to be more blunt. If there IS more to the story, the public DESERVES to know. "

No idea, Hmmmmm? wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:43 PM:

" There is more to the story, but it's none of your concern. Please don't comment unless you know what you're talking about. Since you're obviously not family or a friend, you do not know anything about what took place. The media doesn't even know what happened. How nice that you "don't really blame" the family. What a thoughtful comment in such a sad situation. "

Hmmm wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:35 PM:

" I'm deeply saddened by what I've read. I know the investigation is ongoing but some OBVIOUS questions are still unanswered. If he was NOT a student this semester (he was last enrolled in the Spring), how did he get access to a lab so early in the morning? Why would anyone on the campus allow an unenrolled Master's candidate to be in the lab? It seems to me like common sense...if you're not a student, why are you on school property or who let you in? Isn't this trespassing unless you have permission? Why is an ISU lab the center of this tragic event? His mom went to look for him on the ISU campus...it seems like there's more to this story. I mean, how would anyone know to look THERE unless he said something VERY SPECIFIC the night before. Questions are answered but more appear. I get the feeling there is MUCH more to this story. I don't really blame the family or friends because they're grieving but the truth has to surface. This guy was well-loved by many but something had to be going on. "

Otto wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:23 PM:

" Key card systems are far better then having keys out there. You are correct in that key card systems are not full proof...no countermeasure is! However, it's still better to have a card system when you can delete card access at any time rather than having keys issued to god knows whom and that can be easly duplicated. "

Paladin wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:18 PM:

" You're obviously misinformed and angry. Law Enforcement is reactive- security is proactive. You wouldn't want a train engineer piloting a 737 would you? You can't expect traffic cops to understand CPTED or any other higher level protective type program. ISU Cops are simply bottom feeder law enforcement personnel who can't make it on a regular bonifide department. Your dismissive attitute towards ASIS and the security profession has to be based upon the fact you are stuck in some dead end law enforcement job and are jealous of the six figure security professionals ou there. Oh by the way, I receive scores of resumes evry year from law enforcement puds only wishing to qualify for a higher esteemed security managment position. "

resident wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:26 PM:

" you people are idiots, that includes the Pantagraph! all you care to concern yourself with is what method the university uses to lock it's doors. WOOT WOOT WARNING WARNING UNAUTHORZIED ENTRY ON CAMPUS !! WARNING WARNING (oh yeah, someone died too). Idiots "

Paladin wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:45 PM:

" ...the ISU cops are fine. Nothing wrong with ISU law enforcement. Law enforcement is not security, however, any more than security is law enforcement. They have different priorities, and different missions. Cops, by the way, also have training (something most security puds don't, outside of "how to read a fire extinguisher" and "how to call 9-11", or perform the basic CPR / AED any trained monkey can do). "Security" means "corporate liability deduction", these days, and is provided by a "designated 9-11 caller". ASIS and IFPO provide these people with certifications, requiring nebulous "standards" ("responsible charge", without requiring "supervisory status", or higher) and objective tests lacking peer review. Card access, without redundancies, is the next best thing to useless, PARTLY because users almost always circumvent the system. "

To I agree wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:18 PM:

" They hit it right on the mark, chief Swan is a joke. No type of real police service...sorry and it shows on your campus. I feel for current ISU parents your kids ARE NOT SAFE! "

bob wrote on Aug 24, 2007 3:52 PM:

" Those poor little co*k smokers. I feel sorry for them. I wouldn't mind watching the women though. "

to tJoe wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:58 PM:

" we love you and if you need us you know where to find us Greg & Amy "

Otto wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:56 PM:

" I get a kick out of these people who think that key cards are the way to control access. That might keep out your run of the mill troublemaker, but if someone is there to kill (like the Va Tech shooter) a key card won't stop him from getting in. He'll just grab the door when someone opens it and shoot anyone who tries to stop him. "

gc wrote on Aug 24, 2007 1:42 PM:

" making your ID card a key card is the way to go. Access can be taken away at the stroke of a key. Keep the people that shouldn't be there out of every campus building. Public schools need to have better controlled access as well. "

Paladin wrote on Aug 24, 2007 1:25 PM:

" ...yeah, key cards are great. So is ASIS. It's not a scam, really... "

none wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:53 PM:

" Thoughts and prayers for the family should be the number one, not complaining about security measures and safety issues on campus. Student's live's were not in jeapordy and no one was in danger. Jason was a great guy and this is a tragic and horrible thing to happen. The family is struggling, so please give your prayers and condolences rather then making the selfish speculations that are being made on this site. I'm sure the family reads this and its hard to see that the loss in itself isn't what people are making comments about. Have a heart and think about if this was one of your own. "

To Paladin wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:11 PM:

" Go back and take some basic Security 101 Courses. Key Card systems are the best application for this type of situation,,,get out of the 60's and use technology. "

I agree wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:41 AM:

" Swan is a JOKE! All he cares about is his parking space, and his dealings with Russia. He needs to worry about the safetly of his campus other than "trying" to look like he has a pretigious career in law enforcement, with all the self appointed medals. I see him trying to act like a real cop (local tv show), but needs to deal with the issues at ISU, sorry which are very unlike issues that city cops deal with. "

resident wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:37 AM:

" i highly doubt security was "comprimised." and just as Jay Groves said, Jason was proficient in the lab. there's no more to it than that. it's too bad that when something unpleasant happens the public always responds immediatley with "WHOS TO BLAME!?" as opposed to giving condolences to the family. i can assure you Jasons family is probably a wreck right now and just needs support. "

M.S. grad of Chem. Dept. wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:04 AM:

" As a graduate student in the department you are given a set of keys for teaching labs and your designated research lab. You are supposed to turn in the keys at the end of your academic career or you don't recieve your diploma or transcripts. Most grad students in the department are busy finishing up their research and thesis that they often defend and graduate without jobs. Most professors being the nice people they are, have grant money to support their just graduated students until they find a job. (usually takes a month or two). So it is not uncommon for professors to "hire" newly graduated students as their lab assistants. There was no breach of security. He was allowed to have the key. Trust me, no labs in that building are ever open unless there is someone working in the lab. And anyone working has proper safetly training or else they wouldn't be there. "

Paladin wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:01 AM:

" Universities, in general (and ours, specifically) wouldn't know "Security" if it wandered up and bit them on the tuckus. Even then, they probably wouldn't get introduced. "Key Control" only ever exists on paper, unless you are going to re-core and re-issue at the beginning of every semester (or, ideally, at random. But, that would cost more than anyone is willing to devote to their "security" budget). Access badges? Yeah, NOBODY has found a way to circumvent that technology, have they...? CPP and PSP really impress people who have them (well, sometimes. I'm not too impressed with mine. A series of 200 question multiple guess tests, with no corresponding tactical training, all for the low low price of... whoopie...). "

FYI wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:58 AM:

" Just because someone became depressed and possibly committed suicide in the lab, doesn't mean the security is bad, nor is it ISU's fault. College can be very stressful, though I bet there's a woman at the heart of it. Death in a lab is quite easy, as there are so many options of toxic substances, many of which, are very easy to make. This shouldn't reflect badly on ISU. I'm more concerned about a trucker going nuts on the highway. "

Re: CPP PSP wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:48 AM:

" You probably just work for Wackenhut as a gaurd, don't ya? "

ISU employee of 25 years wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:11 AM:

" This place is W-I-D-E O-P-E-N for ANYONE to come into ANY building at ANYTIME. I was wrote up a couple of years ago for questioning a student in a area that was clearly marked STAFF ONLY, when the student complained. Swan is a JOKE! All he cares about is his parking space, and his dealings with Russia. This is a post 9/11 and VT world there is NO excuses for this!! My son goes here but lives at home because of issues like this. ISU safe?? NOT A CHANCE we are to P.C. to question people around here. "

Theo wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:51 AM:

" To the guy claiming to be a security professional. Forget it, you're not going to get a $2 million contract to guard campus buildings. Nice try, but it won't work. "

Former Grad Assistant wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:43 AM:

" My thoughts and prayers to the Yoder family. I can't imagine what they are going through. As far as how he came into possesion of keys - as a graduate assistant, my professors routinely handed out keys to us grad assistants for prof's offices and labs. Some were better at retriving the keys then others. Even though he wasn't enrolled this semester, it wouldn't be so far fetched for his professor, thinking he was coming back next semester, to just let him keep the keys. "

john langwith wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:12 AM:

" i worked as a bsw in the science lab on the 5 pm to 1 am shift for 3 or 4 years proir to 2002 and there were people coming and going all the time on that shift. most lab class rooms are never locked,and i was told by a lot of grad students that they had keys. one summer shift i watched a grad student take some electronic scales out of the chemistry dept and when i told the autherities they said oh yeah thats so and so and he is a little strange. but didnt seem to get the scales back. fyi dont let isu or swan cover this up. john langwith "

CPP PSP wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:48 AM:

" Chief Swan- I have been a security executive for over thirty years and I find your comment ludicrous. Security Management 101- Inadequate Key Control leads to comprimised security. I think it best that you review your key control procedures to include auditing keys issued and recovered from terminated employees. If you need help, call a security professional ... "

ISU Chemistry Student wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:29 AM:

" Believe me! ISU's professors and lab assistants are very thorough with their safety training. "

bummer wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:00 AM:

" Sorry to the family of Jason Yoder... He was a good dude. I went to high school with him. What a weird story. I hope it was an accident. my thoughts are with the family. "

me wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:28 AM:

" A building can not be considered a secure building when you can walk right in through the outside door,even if some inside doors are locked.and with all the chemicals inside you would think it would have limited access. "

Yes wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:59 AM:

" Security was compromised. He was in the building, not enrolled currently as a student and they are unaware of how he got into the building. My heart goes out to the family for their loss, but according to the ISU police chief, "But now, we’re looking into how the individual came across or had in his possession keys to the facility.” Key phrase 'looking into how', if security wasn't compromised they wouldn't have to "look into how" he came to be in that room. "

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