A madman has devastated another college campus today. An as yet unidentified gunman cooly walked into a large lecture hall on the Northern Illinois University campus and opened fire on the unsuspecting professor and class. As the gunman turned a weapon on the professor, students hit the floor and began low-crawling toward exits. Still some 22 students were hit, with at least five fatalities.

Firing with a shotgun, an automatic pistol, and possibly one other weapon, according to one witness, the killer calmly stopped at one point to re-load before continuing his shooting rampage. The shooter eventually killed himself, according to authoriities.

Chaos erupted as campus officials quickly shut down the campus, sending messages to students via text messages, e-mails, and loudspeakers. Officials commended the administration for its quick and decisive action putting into effect its disaster plan developed after the Virginia Tech killings.

Nonetheless, the freedom our youth have enjoyed on college and school campuses probably ended today forever. Already talk show hosts are calling for metal detectors and armed guards at entrances to college halls, dormitories, as well as other buildings. Concerned parents are almost sure to take up the cry.

Another sacred institution--the places where we traditionally always believed our children were safe, our schools and universities--has now become a killing fiield of our most precious commodity and our best hope for the future--our children.