As Hurricane Irene bears down on the Carolina’s; Shaw University once again seems to be in the path of potentially dangerous inclement weather. According to current data from the National Weather Service, Hurricane Irene… Shaw University was tested by inclement weather last year when several tornadoes touched down in North Carolina; including one which greatly affected the Shaw University campus in Raleigh NC.
Shaw University staff, faculty, and students were affected by the tornado which touched down on campus last year causing over three million dollars worth of damages to the Willie E Gary Student Center, Fleming Kee and Dimple Newsome Living Learning Centers on main campus and Talbert O Shaw Living Learning Centers (Men & Women) on south campus. The damage from the tornado also caused the campus to be evacuated and Shaw University ended its Spring 2011 semester of classes early.
Shortly after the tornado Shaw University administrators moved to quickly implent new procedures for dealing with possible inclement and adverse weather conditions on campus. Shaw University administrators have also recently implemented a text message alert system for all students, faculty and staff who are registered, handled by the Shaw University Office Of Information and Technology. Students who have not registered for the new alert system can do so through the Shaw University Office of Residence Life and their respective Residential Counselors and Dorm Directors. Due to the chaos and pandemonium experienced by the students and staff from the tornado, Shaw University is using many tools and updated disaster preparations to reduce the memories of fear and anxiety from the student body’s previous encounter with extreme weather conditions. While tornados and their path’s are often unpredictable, hurricanes are more stable storm systems and can be studied, tracked and prepared for. The Office Of Residence Life and The Office of Student Affairs are advising students and parents to take extra precaution in dealing with Hurricane Irene. The Office Of Residence Life and The Office Of Student Affairs are working with The Office Of Information Technology to provide students, faculty, staff and parents with the most timely current information regarding Hurricane Irene, possible school closures and class cancellations. The Office Of Residence Life and The Office Of Student Affairs provided safety information for students who wished to travel or seek shelter away from campus before the arrival of Hurricane Irene.