Thank you ETSU administration for putting students first – at least this time.
Last week our university officials made a wise decision when asked by the Red Cross if Memorial Center, better known as the Mini-Dome, or other buildings on campus could be used to house Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Before you freak out and think I’m insensitive, hear me out.
While I think the ETSU community and all of humanity should do what they can to help those who have lost their homes, families, basically everything but the most miniscule of earthly possessions and their lives because of this natural disaster, there are better ways for ETSU to aid.
The university has numerous reasons why using campus, and particularly the Dome, would not be the best solution for housing those who have lost their homes because of Katrina.
Many of these concerns were addressed in articles in the Johnson City Press. The Mini-Dome houses offices, research facilities and 101 classes. It is “not just a big empty can the way it appears from the street,” as Stanton said in the Press.
He also told the Press that the students who are paying nearly $4,000 a year to attend ETSU are the top priority.
Thank you President Stanton. It is nice to know that the large chunk of money that comes out of my – well, more accurately my parents’ – pocket is noticed.
Wilsie Bishop, ETSU vice president for administration and chief operating officer, also told the Press that the Mini-Dome does not have adequate facilities, such as food service, showers and other necessary services to house people long term. She also stressed that the Dome is needed for daily use for classes, offices and research.
The question was raised why ETSU could not move classes to other empty rooms, and that would obviously not be feasible. Imagine trying to have a P.E. class in an empty classroom in Rogers-Stout or Warf-Pickel. I doubt that would work very well.
I wonder what security issues would arise if a building on campus was turned into a shelter. There could be safety problems for students and faculty, and also to those people who would be staying in the shelter.
What would those staying in the Dome be doing during the day? What activies would be provided for them? Would they have transportation they needed?
Recently the Johnson City fire marshal said that SGA could not hold a concert in the Dome because of safety and capacity concerns. There may be underlying problems that would not allow evacuees to stay in the building that have not even been addressed at this point.
There are many other options that could be investigated for possible use as a shelter in the Tri-Cities area, such as Freedom Hall, churches and unused warehouses. People could offer spare bedrooms and basements in their homes.
As of now, the large numbers of evacuees that were set to be housed at local shelters have not come, but Red Cross officials still expect people to arrive. Only a few have registered with the Red Cross in the area.
While Stanton has said in the Press that ETSU would house evacuees if needed, the university is doing its part by working with students from hurricane-devastated areas who wish to attend the university, even the medical school. Governor Phil Bredesen challenged schools to do so, and ETSU rose to the challenge, making arrangements for four or five students already. Funding for students to attend will be worked out later.
The ETSU community, including the SORC, fraternities, sororities and other campus organizations, is also planning a benefit concert and fair to raise money for relief.
Citadel Broadcasting held a radio-thon this weekend and raised more than $18,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of dollars have been donated to the Red Cross and other organizations, and donations of food, water and other supplies are being collected throughout the region.
There are always ways to help and ETSU is doing their part, but the ETSU community can better assist evacuees in other ways instead of housing them in inadequate (for shelter purposes) facilities.
All in all, the right decision was made.

Author