Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Iowa students scramble under one-day evacuation notice
By Mike McDonald
The Daily Iowan U. Iowa
June 13, 2008

Jun Yang's father-in-law picked a turbulent time to visit from China.

"He's going to be here for a month," said Yang, a University of Iowa graduate student. "Now we have to leave for two weeks."

Yang and his wife, both residents of Hawkeye Court Apartments, were watching television while their 2-year-old daughter ran happily around the room when University Housing officials knocked on their door and handed them an orange evacuation flier.

Thursday afternoon, 600 Hawkeye Court apartments were told about the mandatory evacuation, which must be completed by 4 p.m. today. Many residents interviewed were informed of the evacuation around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Temporary residence is available at Hillcrest and Parklawn for those who have no place to go.

Luckily for Yang and his family, they have friends to stay with in Iowa City.

Yang said he had to turn in his key and was told it would be a minimum of two weeks before they could return. "We are planning to stack our belongings and take what we can in our car."

The actuarial-sciences graduate student was shocked when he received the flier, but his family remained calm.

"It seemed like a pretty short time," Yang said. "I just hope everything works out."

While Yang and his family have a place to stay, other residents were not so fortunate.

UI student Aaron Buss was not given much information about how long the evacuation would be in effect. He plans to move back home to Omaha with his parents until he can return.

"I thought the e-mail [the university] sent us was strange," he said. "But I moved all my belongings to high shelves and took some with me."

Hawkeye Court residents consist of a diverse crowd ranging from international students to UI faculty members.

Yu-Lan Su, a 28-year-old educational psychology Ph.D. candidate, was carrying several large boxes in which she planned to pack her valuables.

"I need my books for my work," she said.

Su received the evacuation e-mail at 3 p.m. Thursday, and she is hustling to contact friends to stay with.

"I'm worried about my belongings and my furniture," she said.

Despite having a 24-hour notice to evacuate, Su felt the UI responded well to the situation. Housing officials told residents they would do their best to accommodate everyone, but they urged people to find their own residences away from campus.

Another resident, Lisa Leibold, went to the housing-services office to find a room, but quickly turned away when she saw dozens of frustrated evacuees expecting a long wait for assistance.

"I'm going home to pack up my things before the rain hits again," she said.

Amid what could have been a chaotic situation, residents typically reacted quickly and calmly.

University Housing officials advised those who plan to go to Hillcrest and Parklawn to bring only the most essential valuables.

While no furniture will be allowed to be moved into the dorms, evacuees will be provided with furnished rooms.

Transportation will also be offered until 3 p.m. today for anyone needing assistance moving to these buildings.

As resident Gary Christensen returned home from a long workday that kept him from getting the message about the evacuation, he appeared resigned about the move.

"I'll figure out something, I suppose," he said.

E-mail DI reporters at: daily-iowan@uiowa.edu

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