At 11:30 Steve Pawluk spoke with the media. Here's what he had to say:
Since early this morning, our campus community has been thrown into a state
of shock.
About 3:30 this morning a fire broke out on the third floor of Thatcher
Hall, our women¹s residence hall. It is with deep sorrow that we announce
the death of one female student. She¹s identified as Kelly Weimer (Wee¹mer),
a junior English major from Woodridge, Illinois. Our hearts go out to her
family, friends and loved ones both here at the university and back home in
Illinois.
Two other students were taken to Erlanger Medical Center where they were
treated and released. They were identified as Jen Bigham, a freshman from
Biglerville, Pennsylvania and Cassandra Snyder, also a freshman from
Landsdowne, Pennsylvania.
The fire was contained to a kitchenette/laundry, a public restroom and a
lobby of the West Wing¹s third floor. The fire did not enter any student
dorm room.
At this point, we don¹t know the cause of the fire, and we refer those
questions to fire investigators.
All 574 residents of Thatcher Hall were evacuated and fire safety officials
are determining when those students will be allowed to return to the
building.
Meanwhile, university counselors are meeting with students in the
university¹s student center. Other universities and social service agencies
and local pastors are volunteering their help in comforting students who¹ve
suffered emotionally.
It¹s not surprising that on a campus of strong religious beliefs, some of
the university¹s professors have joined students in impromptu prayer circles
on the university lawn.
A ³Service of Remembrance² for the university community has been scheduled
for 8 p.m. tonight in the Collegedale Seventh-day Church.
As of now, the dorm¹s south wing has reopened. The East wing has also
re-opened but only to allow students to re-enter their rooms by escort to
retrieve items.
The university¹s Social Work Department is coordinating donations for those
students who lost personal belongings. A donation drop off center has been
set up in Iles Physical Education Center.
We¹ve set up a large bulletin board in Thatcher South to allow students and
family members to leave messages with contact information.
The university¹s exam schedule has changed. Exams scheduled for 8 a.m have
been rescheduled for 6 p.m. today. Exams scheduled for 10 a.m. and later are
meeting at their regular time. Professors are working with students
individually who may not be take their exams because today¹s traumatic
events.
The University would like to thank all the firefighters and emergency
workers who responded including those in the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire
Department,
The Collegedale Police Department. And many surrounding fire departments who
responded to the mutual aid call.
We also like to thank everyone who is praying for the university and all the
volunteers who are assisting with counseling and relocation.
Thatcher Hall was built in 1968 and is compliant with state fire codes for a
building of that age. University safety officials say the fire wall in the
West Wing worked to limit the spread of the fire. The fire alarm did sound
and helped women evacuate the building in a timely fashion. A fire
department chief said the fire was contained within 30 minutes.
All this morning we have answered calls from concerned parents and family
members anxious to know about their son or daughter¹s well-being. Be assured
this is our NUMBER ONE priority as we continue to assess the damage and make
contingency plans.
Anyone, including parents, students and faculty who want additional
information are
advised to check the university¹s website for further updates,
www.southern.edu <http://www.southern.edu> or
call the university¹s toll free number at 1-800-SOUTHERN.
Another university press conference is scheduled at 4 p.m. this afternoon in
the
Ackerman Auditorium lobby.
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