Southern University braces for Isidore

BATON ROUGE – Tuesday evening, Southern University students fought the drizzling rain to pack up cars and clear out dorms in anticipation for Hurricane Isidore.  Most prepared to traveled home to North Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and even Alabama. 
Although classes are cancelled until Saturday, some students are remaining on campus.  Many have opted to stay with a friend or relative in the Baton Rouge area. 
According to Kevin Johnson, director of the Southern University Police Department traffic and parking division, the university is prepared to accommodate students in the event of an emergency.
“Students are safe in their dorm rooms,” said Johnson.  “But in the event that we lose power Capital Transportation Corporation (city buses) will assist us in transporting students to buildings on campus with generators.”
Students along with residential assistants will be evacuated to Seymour Gym, P.B.S. Pinchback Engineering Building, Blanks Hall, and Higgins Hall.
The F.G. Clark Activity Center (Minidome) will not be used as an evacuation site because it is undergoing renovations.
Food service personnel have also prepared nonperishable meals and stocked up on bottled water in case the campus loses power.
 Chancellor Edward R. Jackson activated the University’s Emergency Team at noon Tuesday to prepare the Baton Rouge Campus for Hurricane Isidore.
As a precautionary measure the campus was closed for all students, faculty and non-essential employees as of 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Non-teaching personnel will report for work on Friday, September 27 and classes will resume Saturday, September 28.
As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Jaguars are still scheduled to play Nicholls State Saturday at 7 p.m. in A.W. Mumford Stadium.