At Georgetown University, as in many communities across the country, people are preparing for war. Students and staff are designing evacuation routes, designating meeting points and buying duct tape in record numbers.
“We have completely sold out of duct tape, and are ordering more,” said Meg Gardner, the supply buyer for the Georgetown bookstore. “What we had would have normally lasted at least another month.”
With the nation under Code Orange, the second highest possible level of terror alert, since Feb. 7, members of the Georgetown community must react to the seemingly inevitable reality that the country is going to war. Now, Georgetown’s prime location in the nation1s capital means a very real set of concerns.
Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas is organizing up the University’s emergency response plan. On Tuesday, Dimolitsas, along with Director of Housing Operations Bob Robinson, introduced Georgetown1s Emergency Management Plan to a gathering of approximately 75 faculty and staff. The plan, which is modeled after federal and district response plans, allows for administrators to effectively respond to and mitigate crises and their consequences.
In the event of an emergency, Robinson explained that Building and Floor Marshals would serve as conduits for information, assist with evacuations and account for individuals, including those with special needs.
Robinson also announced the implementation of a steam whistle “somewhere on campus” which will be audible within a two-mile radius.
“We are still developing the protocol for what to do when you hear the whistle, but basically you should get inside,” Robinson said. Once inside, Robinson said members of the Georgetown community should check for broadcast e-mails and radio and television alerts. “The most important part of the program is communication.”
Many Georgetown students say they are not overly preoccupied with war preparation.
Heath Carter (CAS ‘03) said that he has always known that Washington D.C. is a more dangerous place to live, but he has not reconsidered living here in light of the upcoming war.
“To be honest, I1m not nearly concerned about my health as my mother in California is. I haven1t bought duct tape or plastic sheeting, and I probably won’t,” Carter said. “You can never be prepared for something like a biological attack.”
Even students with a direct connection to the war say they are not taking measures to prepare for war.
Aristia Kinis1 (SFS ‘03) 18-year-old brother Aristos Kinis joined the Marine Corps after graduating from college last spring, and just departed yesterday for the Middle East.
“They don’t give him a lot of information, but we know he is either going to Kuwait or Turkey,” Kinis said.
Kinis said that her brother’s departure has helped her to feel better prepared for what might come next.
“The fact that he is being sent means that we are actually going to war, it’s just a matter of time,” she said. “I no longer think of it as a potential, but as a definite.”
Still, Kinis said that she has not bought the supplies recommended by the government.
“I considered storing water and a power bar in my backpack, but I don’t really know what I would do with duct tape or plastic sheeting,” Kinis said. “It seems crazy, but I heard that there is a student here who has a portion of her room sectioned off for emergency preparedness materials like flashlights, batteries, canned food and water.”
Along with students, certain administrators have also dismissed the government warnings.
Juan Gonzalez, vice president for Student Affairs, said that he has been active in reviewing procedures and processes to ensure a safe and secure campus for students. However, he has not taken precautions such as purchasing duct tape or plastic sheeting.
“I personally am not worried about our safety,” Gonzalez said. “Nevertheless, it is within my role as Vice President. I must take an active interest and role.”
Some Georgetown departments report that effects of the upcoming war are still difficult to identify.
According to Charles Deacon, dean of undergraduate admissions, admissions representatives are not raising the issue of safety with prospective students and their parents, but waiting for them to voice concerns.
“The sense we have is that there is a tension pulling in both directions,” Deacon said. “There are people more interested in being here because they are more patriotic and then there are others who are worrying about their safety.”
Deacon said that admissions decisions will be affected by the possible war, but doesn’t yet know what to expect.
“If people have concerns, it is important for us to have an answer. But there is no reason for us to point out the problem beforehand,” Deacon said. “The message should be that there may never by a more important time to be in school in Washington.”
