Jay High, associate director of communication and development for Residential Life, said the residence halls and on-campus apartments will stay open, despite the storm.
High said ResLife began notifying students of the approaching storm Monday and will continue to send them updates as the situation changes.
Students were encouraged to stock up on food and supplies if they intended to ride out the storm on campus.
Since both The 5 and 459 Commons dining halls will be closed today, LSU Dining delivered sandwiches, chips, fruit and non-perishable pasta dishes to residence halls and on-campus apartments last night.
High said ResLife placed the food in common areas and encouraged students to take what they needed.
On-campus residents were also given a checklist to prepare their dorm rooms and apartment units for the inclement weather:
1. All furniture, including beds, should be pulled away from the windows. All electronic equipment should be placed off the floor, preferably in a closet.
2. Since the floors can get wet, all articles such as shoes, rugs, clothes, bags, suitcases, etc. should be placed on closet shelves or in dresser drawers.
3. All loose objects should be placed in drawers or closets. Papers, books, etc. should not be left on tops of desks or dressers.
4. Valuables should be placed in lockable closets or drawers and should be kept under lock throughout the hurricane. All doors should be locked when the residents are not in the room.
5. All students should fill several containers with water for drinking purposes. Those students who reside in facilities that are equipped with bathtubs are requested to clean the tub and fill it halfway. If the hurricane is a major storm, the water may be cut off. As a result, the water in the tubs will be needed for washing and flushing the toilets.
6. All windows must be closed tightly. In facilities where Venetian blinds are provided, the blinds should be closed.
7. Any student who owns a car should ensure that the emergency brake is set and that the car is in reverse gear or park. All car windows should be closed and the doors locked. All cars must remain in assigned parking areas. Be sure to fill the gas tank. Gas pumps will not work if a power failure exists.
8. Students should provide their own flashlights in case of power failure. Do not use candles or other flammable type lighting under any circumstances; fire is uncontrollable during a hurricane.
9. Residents should provide themselves with snack-type food items (crackers, cookies, peanuts, etc.). Food service will be available as long as possible, but students should plan for an emergency by having non-perishable items available. Do not plan to travel off campus after a storm since transportation may not be possible.
10. Please ensure the front desk of your community has your current/updated emergency contact information. This allows the hall/area staff to know the whereabouts of residents and be able to contact someone if needed.
 
Residents were given an additional checklist with advice for dealing with the storm:
1. It is essential that all residents stay indoors throughout the entire hurricane. Residents must not leave their living units until directed to do so by residential life staff. During the peak of the storm, for maximum protection, it is suggested that residents close room or bedroom doors and remain in the hallways.
2. Students should remain away from danger areas, such as the glass windows and doors in the lobby areas of the halls or the living rooms of the apartments.
3. Do not attempt to open windows or doors to see what is happening outside. Wind currents are especially strong near high-rise buildings.
4. Report all accidents, injuries, broken windows, or excessive water to your RA, or the staff at the front desk of your hall/area.
5. Telephone calls should only be made in case of emergency.
6. Keep in mind that everything is calm when the eye of the storm passes overhead. Do not venture outside, as the second half of the storm will follow shortly.
7. Resident may use fire stairs to go to an adjacent floor, as elevators will be shut off. Do not attempt to go outside. If you have any questions, please contact your RA or the staff at the front desk.
 
The University is under a “shelter in place” order for the rest of the day, and High said all on-campus residents should remain indoors for their own safety.
He said no halls have received any major damage due to the storm, but ResLife employees will be on campus during the storm to alert students to any potential danger or issues.
The Department of Residential Life is located in Grace King Hall on campus and can be reached at (225) 578-8663.
 
 
____ Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]