rumor spreading that USM's Hattiesburg campus is gone - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Aug 30, 2005

rumor spreading that USM's Hattiesburg campus is gone

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Curt Yeomans wrote:

I heard that from a friend in Starkville, but he said it was probably an exageration. If anyone in hattiesburg hasn't used up their laptop's battery yet, can they even get online to confirm or deny anything?

I have it on good authority that the USM campus is still there...a friend's parents were there yesterday. There is widespread damage, but I think the structures are all still standing. Of course, I'm not there, so I can't say 100%, but I imagine that the H'burg American would be reporting if the whole campus was gone.

Truth

Date: Aug 30, 2005

I figured he meant widespread damage or maybe one or two small buildings were gone.

Now the question is...how much structural damage has been done to the buildings on campus?

Date: Aug 30, 2005

I have it on good authority that about 200 faculty members have been blown to other schools.
Of course, my source didn't give me a time frame on that.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Curt Yeomans wrote:

I figured he meant widespread damage or maybe one or two small buildings were gone.
Now the question is...how much structural damage has been done to the buildings on campus?

I have heard that a lot of the old oak trees are down in front of campus and along the side (by the McCarty dorm). Also, that there are lots of trees down all over H'burg and that many roads are impassable. Phones are still down and power, water, and gas are all out (getting updates via people w/cell phones who still have coverage). That's all I know for now.

Truth

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Just heard from a faculty member in the avenues. She says it is like a war zone. She estimates they lost 100 trees in the acre behind her house. News reports say that long distance and cell hub switching for the area was in Gulfport and that is why it is so difficult to get calls in and out of the area. My source confirmed that they have no water coming from the pipes, which would mean the pumping stations are down as well as the water treatment plants.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

friends, the Hattiesburg American is still reporting, though of course with some lag time--visit their website for some details of the storm. Dave, yes, both water plants were out of commission as of yesterday; power down almost everywhere; Hwy 49 and 11 both nearly impassable near the Burg.

What I'm most worried about for USM is the Gulf Park campus, which I assume took massive damage. Any word?

Stay safe, my friends--hang in there.
Anne

Date: Aug 30, 2005

All other buildings but the Polymer Palace have probably suffered damage knowing how much maintenance they received by comarison to the hallowed halls of shelbyville. This comment is not meant to disparage the hard-working physical plant workers by any means, but it is a shame that other buildings leak like they have fish nets for roofs (at least walker pseudo-science).

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Don't forget the Nursing Bldg...I can't imagine how much it must be leaking right now. I hope that someone can give us a report soon. I just heard that people as far away as McComb and Brookhaven are without power still.

Truth

Date: Aug 30, 2005

No. This is not true. Folks in the IHL and MSU and OLD Miss are hopeful, however, that if the coast campus is gone it will, once and for all, stop USM's expansion there.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Arnold wrote:

I have it on good authority that about 200 faculty members have been blown to other schools. Of course, my source didn't give me a time frame on that.

What a jackass. At least 55 people have lost their lives and thousands are homeless and you can't set aside your bitterness towards USM and Shelby Thames for a second. I hope you have left USM, if you were ever there.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

StillAnEagle wrote:

Arnold wrote: I have it on good authority that about 200 faculty members have been blown to other schools. Of course, my source didn't give me a time frame on that. What a jackass. At least 55 people have lost their lives and thousands are homeless and you can't set aside your bitterness towards USM and Shelby Thames for a second. I hope you have left USM, if you were ever there.

StillAnEagle,

We loved our time at USM and still have immense admiration for what it was in the past. We have many friends and former colleagues in south Mississippi. We grieve for the distress of those we know and for those whom we don't know.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Gone, gone, gone wrote:

StillAnEagle wrote: Arnold wrote: I have it on good authority that about 200 faculty members have been blown to other schools. Of course, my source didn't give me a time frame on that. What a jackass. At least 55 people have lost their lives and thousands are homeless and you can't set aside your bitterness towards USM and Shelby Thames for a second. I hope you have left USM, if you were ever there. StillAnEagle, We loved our time at USM and still have immense admiration for what it was in the past. We have many friends and former colleagues in south Mississippi. We grieve for the distress of those we know and for those whom we don't know.

If you didn't post as Arnold above, I have no problem with you nor do I doubt your sincerity. However, at a time when lives and property have been lost, that kind of petty BS is sickening. Some of those who are dead may be students or relatives of students. Students may have lost their homes. Faculty at the Long Beach campus may have been lost literally, not to another university. But recognizing that requires seeing further than the end of your nose, which some people here lack the ability to do. Again, if you're not Arnold, I'm cool with the other posts. I just couldn't let that comment pass.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

I'm not Arnold. And notice that he/she (?) is the only person posting something like that.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

I sincerely apologize.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Arnold. wrote:

I sincerely apologize.

Forgiven. Many of us did not know several hours ago exactly how bad this is.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

As the story unfolds, it becomes even more horrifying. Arnold is a good poster, and that's all that needs to be said about that - Arnold apologized. 'nuff said. Just got a call from a former Hattiesburg colleague who told me that her home (in the historic district) has trees through most of the windows, the deck and part of the roof are gone, 2 of the cars are demolished, and the one that works has virtually no gas in it (or a rearwindow). With no commmunication with the outside world, she wanted to know what was being said and what was being done. The area is shut down. It is remarkable that the AAUP Message Board stayed up. I think it's a positive sign in a terrible situation.

I imagine that those of us who were not in Katrina's wrath can communicate, but those in the actual area can not as easily. So, if anyone hears anything about any condition in the greater Hburg area (and GC), please post.

Thanks.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

emma, et al.--

i was just told that most of hardy street has been cleared of trees and other debris, but travel is still discouraged, as many of the side streets are still in pretty bad shape--especially those in and around the oaks district. apparently, that area is in shambles and very few trees remain standing. it's certainly a step in the right direction, but it's scary to think about the potential traffic once the streets are clearer. i'm sure there are evacuees from nola and the coast who either have no home to go to or won't be allowed to go for several days. the friends i've talked to have had little to no luck getting local calls out, so i too would appreciate any further updates that i can pass along to them.

BeeGee

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Anne Wallace wrote:

friends, the Hattiesburg American is still reporting, though of course with some lag time--visit their website for some details of the storm. Dave, yes, both water plants were out of commission as of yesterday; power down almost everywhere; Hwy 49 and 11 both nearly impassable near the Burg. What I'm most worried about for USM is the Gulf Park campus, which I assume took massive damage. Any word? Stay safe, my friends--hang in there. Anne

Based on the aerial footage from WLBT and based on what their reporter in the sky was saying, there are virtually no buildings left in Long Beach. Go to www.wlbt.com and click on "Mississippi Coast Damage from the sky" to see it for yourself.

WDAM reports power in the pine belt could be out for two or more weeks and phone service could be out for an even longer period of time.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

speculation is that all the research facilities on the coast are also gone, just based on the level of damage done along the beach.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

curt yeomans wrote:

Based on the aerial footage from WLBT and based on what their reporter in the sky was saying, there are virtually no buildings left in Long Beach. Go to www.wlbt.com and click on "Mississippi Coast Damage from the sky" to see it for yourself.
WDAM reports power in the pine belt could be out for two or more weeks and phone service could be out for an even longer period of time.

This video is amazing, sad and disturbing all in one. It is utterly awful destruction and probably the closest we will come to knowing what nuclear destruction resembles. It will be years before the debris is clear and waters are again safe. I am beyond speechless.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

CY,

I am pretty speechless. The devastation is unbelievable. Yet, the destructed are (hey Vic)"Bloody, yet unbowed" and knowing what constitutes the area as far as kick a$$ people are concerned, Hburg through the GC will be rebuilt with an even better spirit than what sustained it before - God help everyone. Vic, with a nod to your name as a poster - I'd like to remind people of (or introduce people to) -

Invictus
William Ernest Henley
1849–1903

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Date: Aug 30, 2005

Thanks for the reminder, Emma. Hope to meet you in person someday.