Students, professor locked in classroom

A Southern University professor and her students were stuck in W.W. Stewart Hall classroom after a student locked them in during class.
Professor of Behavioral Studies Jacqulin Jacobs, said she and her class were locked in during her 3 to 5 p.m. class on Sept. 9, after a student excused herself to use the restroom.
Jacobs said she usually does not close the classroom door, but excessive noise from the hallway prompted her to do so.
She said after the student left, students realized they were locked in.
“How long do you expect people to stay in a locked room before someone comes?” Jacobs said. “If it had been a fire or an emergency, we could not have gotten out.”
A student in the class called the behavioral studies department, but failed to communicate the problem. Afterwards, authorities at the SU Police Department were called.
When the class did not receive an immediate response, some students began banging on the door. Two colleagues of Jacobs then arrived and opened the door. The class was inside of the room less than an hour.
“It was terrifying and it took all of my energy to try and remain calm,” said Cynthia McGhee, a sophomore elementary education major from Gonzales, who said she was claustrophobic. “You would have had to be there to understand. I will never forget it.”
Some students were optimistic about the situation.
“It could have been worse,” said Ashley Reese, a junior education major from New Orleans, who takes Jacobs adolescent psychology class. “I have been locked in the elevator in the dormitory. Someone will eventually notice something is wrong.”
After the incident, several of the students tried to report the incident to the behavioral studies office, but said they were treated unfairly.
“We pay too much tuition not to see progress,” said Earnestine Baskin, a sophomore early childhood major from Baton Rouge. “The way we were handled was unprofessional and not right.”
A work order for repairs to the door has been submitted and the students will move to another available classroom.
“The door will be fixed,” said Gussie Trahan, professor of behavioral studies and educational leadership.