Ike has no boundaries

By Jessica Williams

"We don't have hurricanes in India," said Doyle Rodriguez, an international student majoring in computer science. "For a lot of us it was a new experience. None of us knew how destructible a hurricane would be, we've only seen it on television."

Rodriguez lives in Armand Place Apartments and walks to campus everyday. When he received word that UHCL was evacuating students who needed transportation, he knew he needed to take advantage of the service.

"If they didn't have a service like this, it would have been really stressful because we would have had to try to make arrangements on our own," Rodriguez said.

Ritesh Ruparel, a student from India majoring in computer science, also evacuated with the university. He explained how it felt more like a vacation than an evacuation.

"The shelter [Sam Houston State University] was good, food was good and people were nice," Ruparel said. "We learned Swing, Salsa, the Cupid Shuffle and the Soulja Boy. We also got to watch movies in the theater. It was a lot of fun."

Many international students had never experienced a hurricane, so they had no idea what to expect.

"I was not sure what to expect," said Priya Bakhanavar, a student from India majoring in management information systems. "I knew I needed to evacuate, but I had no idea how severe it [the storm] would be."

Ruparel explained that he expected rain, but the wind damage to all the trees and buildings was definitely unexpected.

"What I saw in the news was saddening, the devastation in Crystal Beach and those areas," said Abigail Fabien, a student from Dominica majoring in management information systems. Fabien has experienced hurricanes before but was still disheartened by the result of Hurricane Ike.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Rita, Darlene Biggers, associate vice president of student services, appointed a team to develop a hurricane protocol and evacuation manual. Anthony Jenkins, dean of students, explained that the manual covers what the university does 96, 72 and 36 hours out, as well as recovery.

Biggers contracted with a bus company to evacuate at a moments notice and arranged for temporary housing at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

"With Rita there was an evacuation horror," Jenkins said. "We wanted to make sure we had a comprehensive evacuation plan for students who lacked transportation."

Jenkins received the notice of university closure Sept. 11. An e-mail was immediately sent to students explaining that anyone who needed transportation should go to the Student Assistance Center and fill out necessary paperwork.

UHCL evacuated 50 students and five chaperones. Jenkins was impressed with how well our students were received at SHSU. "I could not have been more pleased with how they extended their hospitality toward us," Jenkins said.

Different UHCL offices and organizations assisted with the check-in and bus loading of evacuees, including: University Police Department, Student Services, Dean of Students, Student Life, International and Intercultural Student Services, and the Student Government Association.

"During times of crisis you truly find out what leadership is like," said Sameer Pande, assistant director of intercultural and international student services.

UHCL uses the PIER system, which gathers students' contact information from E-Services, to help ensure students receive vital information during emergency situations and inclement weather.

E-mails were sent to 700 students and 300 were returned undeliverable. Biggers stressed the importance of keeping contact information up to date.

Students should visit the E-Services Web site at www.uhcl.edu/records/eservices to ensure their emergency contact information is correct. For assistance and questions regarding E-Services, contact the SAC in the Student Services and Classroom Building, Room 1.102.