Classes back in session at 5 universities
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/NEWS0110/508310380/1260
Alcorn football player in serious condition after being struck by tree limb
By Cori Bolger
cbolger@clarionledger.com
|
Colleges
University of Mississippi — Classes resumed Tuesday (Aug. 30).
Delta State University — Classes resumed Tuesday (Aug. 30).
Mississippi State University — Classes resume today (Aug. 31). .
Mississippi Valley State University — Classes resume today (Aug. 31).
Mississippi University for Women — Classes resume today (Aug. 31).
University of Mississippi Medical Center — Classes to resume Sept. 6.
Tougaloo College — Classes to resume Sept. 6.
Belhaven College — Classes to resume Sept. 6.
Millsaps College — Classes to resume Sept. 6.
Jackson State University — Classes to resume Sept. 6.
University of Southern Mississippi — Classes to resume Sept. 6.
Alcorn State University — No power; resume date TBA.
Mississippi College — No power; resume date TBA. |
Classes at five of Mississippi's eight public universities are back in session today and students around the state are preparing to return to campuses damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
The University of Southern Mississippi, Alcorn State University and Jackson State University, as well as private Tougaloo College remained without power and communication access on Tuesday afternoon.
One hurricane-related campus injury was reported at Alcorn. McComb native and football player Mark Butler was hit on the head by a tree limb and transported to a hospital in Shreveport, where he was listed in serious condition Tuesday.
"We had a lot of trees that fell on campus and some that were uprooted," said teammate Tony Hobson. "The wind was strong. Campus is pretty messed up right now."
On Tuesday at JSU, students slept on makeshift beds in the student union and library, where generators could provide light.
About 600 international students and athletes from Tulane University in New Orleans arrived at JSU on Saturday, and many remained in a separate dormitory across campus. David White, Tulane's assistant director of emergency preparedness, said that Tulane would be closed indefinitely.
"They're holding up pretty well," he said of the students. "We gave them the bad news about how bad the campus and New Orleans were this morning, and we have encouraged them to make travel arrangements to go home."
JSU officials also asked students to find an alternative place to stay while the campus remained without power.
Its buildings and grounds suffered minor damage, including fallen trees and roof problems, said Anthony Dean, director of university communications.
The Tougaloo campus suffered similar damage, and half of the school's student body packed into a single dormitory to wait for relatives or bide time before classrooms reopen.
"They have been concerned about family members that they can't reach, so we're comforting them," said Tougaloo President Beverly Hogan. "We're making sure they know that we're all in this together."
Mississippi State and the Universirty of Mississippi made it through Katrina virtually unscathed, with only a few leaks and trees laying across the campus.
The student union at Ole Miss had one broken window and the University Counseling Center offered help for Gulf Coast and New Orleans residents. Both schools had power on Tuesday morning.
"The students have been volunteering all day to pick up (debris)," Sammy McDavid, an MSU spokesman, said Tuesday. "We'll be back first thing tomorrow morning."
JSU students Gerrica Shorter and Russell Coleman III lounged outside in their pajamas as they waited for a relative to pick them up to go to Monroe, La.
"We've been reading, walking around, calling parents and family to let them know we're OK," said Shorter, a native of Saginaw, Mich.
Freshman Tareiquis Gill feasted on a chicken and potato salad dinner provided by employees from the dining hall.
"I've been hangin' with my boys, playing video games and kickin' it," said Gill, who decided to stay at JSU through the week. "True, I wanna learn, but I don't mind missing class."
Source: The Clarion Ledger
