Va. Tech shooting prompts security changes

RADFORD, Va., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The nation's-worst college shooting spree that took place at Virginia Tech this year has prompted many U.S. universities to take additional security measures.

While Virginia Tech recovers from the deadly event, scores of other universities have taken steps to ensure similar incidents never occur on their campuses, The Washington Times said Sunday.

Among the emergency preparations students can expect on certain campuses this fall are emergency sirens, monitoring committees and text-message alert systems.

Congress also has heeded a lesson from the April 16 tragedy by adding a new grant program to the Higher Education Act that allows for such enhanced security efforts.

The House of Representatives also passed a measure making it illegal for a mentally ill individual to buy a firearm.

Seung-Hui Cho, the gunman behind the Virginia Tech tragedy, had shown signs of mental instability before he killed 32 people at the university.

The Times said while overall changes on U.S. universities have been minor, school officials nationwide have said such efforts would continue in the future to ensure students' safety.