Web site: College Misericordia
Date: June 28, 2006

CM activates Ready Campus initiative; housing evacuees and King’s, Wilkes and Wyoming Seminary students

College Misericordia activated its Ready Campus initiative late Wednesday morning in preparation for housing evacuees from the Greater Wyoming Valley and more than 250 students and faculty from Wilkes University and King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, and Wyoming Seminary in Kingston.

Wyoming Seminary transported more than 200 students, parents and chaperones to the Back Mountain campus early Wednesday afternoon. The middle-school-aged children were participating in a summer camp. Seminary students are being housed in McHale and Gildea residence halls.

The Misericordia campus also welcomed about 41 students from King’s College and Wilkes University as a precautionary measure against the rising Susquehanna River. King’s and Wilkes students will stay at Alumnae Hall.

The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross activated the Anderson Sports and Health Center at College Misericordia as a designated shelter facility beginning Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Anderson Center is the largest evacuation site available to the local Red Cross. Evacuees should proceed to the North Gate of campus and follow the appropriate signage to the facility. The facility has been approved by the Red Cross to house 1,470 evacuees. The shelter is being operated and managed by the American Red Cross. More information on shelter sites should be obtained from the Red Cross at 570-823-7161.

Evacuees are instructed to bring two days worth of clothing, blankets and pillows to the shelters.

College Misericordia faculty, staff and students assisted in preparing dorms and facilities for evacuees. The college also registered Wyoming Seminary, King’s College and Wilkes University evacuees. Family members trying to contact the students can call 570-674-6400 for general campus information. An automated attendant will direct callers to the appropriate destination after midnight.

Evacuees being housed in Alumnae Hall can be reached at 570-674-6429. McHale Hall residents can be reached at 570-674-6350 and Gildea Hall’s number is 570-674-8436. Information about the Anderson Center can be obtained by calling 570-674-6476.

The American Red Cross has mobilized the Salvation Army to feed and comfort evacuees at Anderson.

The Health Sciences Division at College Misericordia, which is comprised of nurses and other health-care professionals, also has volunteered to assist the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Residents in South Wilkes-Barre received a mandatory evacuation Tuesday afternoon. A mandatory evacuation of communities affected by 1972’s flooding was ordered Wednesday by county officials. Residents have until 8 p.m. to evacuate their homes. A 9 p.m. curfew also was enacted by county officials.

The Susquehanna River is expected to crest Thursday morning at 38-40 feet. Wilkes-Barre and Kingston are protected by the levee system up to about 41 feet. At about 25 feet, areas not protected by the system, including Plainsville in Plains Township, Shickshinny and West Nanticoke receive flood waters.

The Ready Campus initiative was born in 2004 from the combined efforts of Pennsylvania Campus Compact, College Misericordia, Pennsylvania’s Office of Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.

It is designed to help higher education institutions collaborate with communities and relief agencies to ensure the safety and public health of citizens. It ensures campuses are prepared to help communities during times of need and produces graduates who understand service to the community.

"Our colleges and universities can be a tremendous asset in times of natural or person-created disasters," said Dr. Michael A. MacDowell, president of College Misericordia. "With appropriate planning and some training, our colleges and universities can offer their communities much of what they must have in times of need.