Straight Talk from the President - August 29, 2008
Dear Colleagues,
Earlier this week, I asked our Emergency Response Team to convene and plan how to address any potential issues regarding Tropical Storm Gustav. As always, we will refer to our Emergency Response Plan. If necessary, and only if we face an imminent threat to our campus, we will activate FirstCall, our emergency mass notification system that issues alerts via e-mail, text message and telephone. If you have not done so already, I urge you to submit your contact information to FirstCall at this web site: https://alertregistration.com/ulmonroe/
We also established a permanent ULM Update Line, which is equipped with an outgoing message that will provide callers with updates about any news that could affect our daily operations. The toll-free number is 1-866-698-4887, and the local number is (318) 342-7821. Please also refer to our homepage (www.ulm.edu), where you can find updated information regarding the storm and a link to the National Hurricane Center.
I want to assure all of you that we are closely monitoring this storm. Our administrative team, our police department, and several of our staff members are prepared to respond to the storm as it progresses. If Gustav evolves into a major hurricane and hits the Gulf Coast region early next week, then we might experience heavy rains and high winds that could result in power outages; however, to combat that, we have several back-up power generators on campus. Currently, university business is not affected by the tropical storm. As of today, classes will resume on Tuesday, following the Labor Day holiday on Monday. If enough people are on our campus during the weekend, we will examine additional food service options. I will notify you with updates regarding all of this.
During hurricane season, Monroe is one of the safest places in Louisiana, which is why evacuees may choose to travel to Monroe. This morning, we will transform our Fant-Ewing Coliseum into a Special Needs Shelter, which will be operated by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Louisiana Social Services and our own Nursing and Pharmacy faculty, staff and students. We will immediately begin accepting evacuees with special medical needs in the Coliseum. As you know, our residence halls are already at full capacity and cannot hold additional people. We have learned of nearby shelters, and we will direct the families of our students, faculty and staff to the following nearby locations: the former State Farm Building, located at Highway 165 and I-20 in Monroe and the Monroe Civic Center, located at 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway.
I will continue to apprise you of information regarding this storm as news develops. As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
James E. Cofer
President