Howard Students Question University Preparedness

In a dorm such as Meridian Hill Hall, which houses nearly 600 students, it is unclear how successful an emergency evacuation would be.

“The [terrorist] alert has made the university begin to form evacuation plans,” said Kenyatta Hobson, assistant community director of Howard’s Meridian Hill Hall dormitory for upperclassmen. “They are scrambling to get something together (because) they realize there is really a threat.”

A recent university-wide e-mail from Howard President H. Patrick Swygert stated that “although no specific threat has been identified, we all need to make every effort to prevent an incident from happening and be prepared to resolve an incident should one occur.”

Any catastrophe in the area likely would affect the entire city. Most area schools, therefore, rely on the District of Columbia's contingency plan to dictate their actions in the event of an accident. For that reason, “Howard University officials remain in consistent communication with local government officials to ensure a cohesive, standard level of preparation and response,” Swygert said.

“The University has expedited the publication of the University Emergency Response Plan,” according to Swygert's message. “The plan has been distributed via e-mail to administrators, deans and directors …information briefings will be scheduled to [orient] students, faculty and staff on the plan and their responsibilities.”

Swygert recommended that students: - - Be informed. Pay attention to the local news. If an incident should occur, have the means to listen for instructions (radio, TV, cable, etc.).

-- Close all windows. This saves energy and helps to control the emergency, if a fire should occur.

-- Refrain from propping doors open. This allows intruders, who are not authorized, to enter your facility.

While these steps might increase awareness and safety to some degree, they are not a direct plan of action. And they do not include emergency shelter.

In fact, many students do not realize that most classroom buildings on the main campus have fallout shelters, created years ago.

However, these shelters might not be equipped to accommodate all of the students who might need to seek shelter there.

Hobson said that dormitory directors and resident assistants are aware of plans for an emergency evacuation. However, there have been no drills for student residents. So, in a dorm such as Meridian Hill Hall, which houses nearly 600 students, it is unclear how successful an emergency evacuation would be.

Students were appalled to find that in the midst of a Code Orange alert, university administrators did not seem to have an emergency plan. While officials plan for the addition of a new University Center and focusing on Howard’s Capital Campaign, students feel that a more pressing priority lies in providing a safe place for students.

“I would like to see the university develop a substantive plan of action in case something were to happen in this city,” said political science sophomore Ololade Fawole. "If threats seem imminent, realistic, and immediate, what will be their plan of action? Will the university shut down, will classes continue via Web?”

Personnel and security quickly returned to their normal state after fears were allayed of an attack mid-February at the time of hajj, the Muslim holiday. Early into the following week, campus security seem to ease, and students once again could sneak friends into dormitories without proper identification.

Jimmy Edwards, a junior political science student, said that he “didn’t even know that they’d done anything to increase security.” There have been many incidents that have led students to doubt campus security's ability to protect and serve on a daily basis, much less in a life-threatening situation.

In addition to the risks of attending school in Washington, there are the risks of attending one in an urban setting. Students regularly are warned to protect themselves, not necessarily with gas masks but with common sense.

Howard students have grown accustomed to the wailing of ambulance sirens and the sight of homeless men and women lining the campus. Illegal activity is commonplace. Unlike some college areas where residents embrace students and their institutions, members of Howard’s surrounding community seem to have contempt for students, who are often robbed, assaulted or injured.

“Why worry about terrorism when we can walk down Georgia Avenue and be shot?" Edwards added, referring to a recent incident in which two Howard students were shot by locals. “We have larger, more immediate security issues.”

Still, the general sense of unpreparedness by the university has led students like Fawole to stock up on water, dried foods and duct tape. Others have devised their own emergency plans for where to meet friends and how to contact family immediately. Still, many students remain badly informed of what they should do in a catastrophic situation.

“While we are responsible for the livelihood of the residence hall, we still have to take our own lives into account,” Hobson said. “We’ll try to accommodate as many students as we can, but everyone will not fit (into the dormitory’s fallout shelter in the basement) - at that point it will be every man for himself.”

Posted March 20, 2003

Joi C. Ridley is a student at Howard University who is managing > editor of The District Chronicles.