Waves caused by Hurricane Nate pound the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (Nick Tomecek/ Northwest Florida Daily News)
Homecoming festivities for Saturday’s Homecoming Game were postponed until Oct. 28 due to the urgent threat of Hurricane Nate.
The urgency of the hurricane was made apparent Thursday when Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards announced a declaration of emergency for the state of Louisiana.
According to the Times-Picayune, the governor said southeast Louisiana should prepare for a “direct hit” from Hurricane Nate, which the forecast showed would strengthen once it got into the Gulf of Mexico.
Governor Edwards also informed all Louisiana residents on Friday to stay up-to-date and to take the necessary precautions for Hurricane Nate.
A press release sent out Oct. 6 from the Office of the Governor included a direct quote from Governor Edwards.
“We are taking the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Nate seriously and mobilizing all of the state’s emergency preparedness and response mechanisms for a full readiness should this storm severely impact our state,” said Edwards. “I encourage all Louisianans throughout the state to stay tuned to their local weather outlets and get a game plan in the event of severe weather in our area.”
With the danger that follows hurricanes and tropical storms, the university sent out information on how homecoming events would follow this past weekend.
On social media outlets Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, an emergency post included three main points the university wanted to get to the students as soon as possible.
According to the post, “Saturday’s Lion football game kickoff is moved up from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. All homecoming activities- including alumni and donor recognition events, as well as tailgating- scheduled for Saturday are postponed until Oct. 28 football game. Activities and events set for Thursday and Friday remain scheduled as planned. Students who are able to travel home for the weekend are encouraged to do so.”
The Office for Student Engagement clarified which festivities would be canceled on Saturday and acknowledged how students were to be affected.
According to an email from Student Engagement, “Cancelled activities include Homecoming Day tailgating, parade, and half-time presentations. We understand that you are all eager to showcase the hard work put into your parade floats, hear results of the Homecoming Sweepstakes, and for the unveiling of the 2017 Homecoming Court.”
Even though the pregame events are rescheduled, the football game against Incarnate Word, according to the university’s Athletic Media Relations, were still broadcasted on KSLU 90.9, Southeastern’s Sports Radio Network along with the SLU-UIW contest.
The Oct. 28 game will be against Sam Houston State University and include the homecoming activities originally scheduled for Oct. 7.
According to the university’s website, on Sunday, Oct. 8, Sims Memorial Library and the 24-hour Computer Lab in Fayard Hall were closed.
However, all activities and classes continued on Monday, Oct. 9. The university urges students to sign up to get text alerts on southeastern.edu and to continuously look at their student emails for any information concerning class cancellations in case of severe weather conditions in the future. Student Engagement encourages those interested in participating in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 28 to contact the office by Monday, Oct.16.
Any organization interested in donating items can go to The Office for Student Engagement in Student Union Room 2307.
