University proactively prepares for Hurricane Sandy’s havoc

While students were worried about whom to vote for and what to be for Halloween, Rider administration’s main concerns were deciding whether classes should be held and managing services for those who remained on our campuses.

In preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, Rider made the executive decision on Oct. 27, through email and Rider alert texts and calls, to cancel classes for Oct. 29 and Oct. 30. Along with the announcement, Rider urged its students to go home, and with this early decision made, students were able to choose before the storm whether they wanted to hunker down at home or on campus. While there were students who could not go home, it was a swift and smart suggestion that was made for optimal student safety.

When the storm finally hit on Oct. 29, Rider lost power, but only momentarily, while 75 percent of Lawrence Township was without power, according to police. Rider was in a lucky pocket whose lights stayed on. As for the Westminster campus, power went and is still out. Even so, people who weren’t able to travel home were kept safe, warm and fed on campus during the storm.

Even though the Lawrenceville campus kept all its power, there were and still are many towns around the Rider area and in students’ hometowns that did not, posing a threat for some people to return to campus for classes on Oct. 31. In another proactive act, on Oct. 30, Rider sent out another alert to the student body canceling classes for Oct. 31 as well.

With the aftermath of Sandy still affecting the availability of electricity in many students’ and faculty members’ homes, Rider’s administration thought it was best to cancel classes and close offices for the rest of the week until Nov. 5.

A lot of students didn’t realize the level of severity this storm would bring us this week because of the fact that Rider is more inland than directly on the coast. Even though no one knew what to expect with Sandy, refuge options and on-campus resources were immediately offered to people. Daly’s still served students and Rider provided a hotline for student emergencies. The administration took action right away and continues to take preemptive precautions to ensure the safety of students and faculty members.

The weekly editorial expresses the majority opinion of The Rider News. This week’s editorial was written by Opinion Editor Kristy Grinere.