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Cameron Adams
Editor-In-Chief
Jackson State University students received a (not so) warm welcome back to campus, following the winter break.
On Jan. 14, 2023, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a State of Emergency in anticipation of the sudden surge of winter weather. As predicted, a significant portion of the state experienced freezing rain, sleet, and snow throughout the week.
According to USA Today, about 68 million Americans were under a winter weather advisory, and snow droughts ended in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. after two years.
Temperatures dropped to as low as 11 degrees in Jackson and residents were urged to stay off the roads until the icy conditions ended.
Restaurants, stores, and shops were all forced to shut down, for safety reasons, and eventually, Jackson State University also announced its closure due to inclement weather.
Jackson State’s Public Relations department released a university-wide statement advising students and faculty of the incoming wintry weather.
The announcement also informed students of the university’s decision to go virtual due to safety concerns.
The statement read:
“The National Weather Service has issued a hard freeze warning through Wednesday, Jan. 17 for Central Mississippi, including Jackson, Mississippi. As a precaution, Jackson State University will continue virtual instruction and telework [from Jan. 16-17].
We strongly encourage suspending travel to the university during this time. If this is not possible, essential staff (Housing, Dining, Facilities, Public Safety) will be onsite to assist.
The JSU family remains our priority. We have implemented the measures below to ensure the safety and health of our faculty, staff, and students. Please adjust accordingly.”
As Jackson State encouraged students who were traveling to the school to remain home, the concerns of those who were already on campus remained.
Jasmine Thomas, a residence hall building director at Jackson State University from Atlanta, Ga., stated that the weather caused her to become more informed to help students in need.
“The freezing conditions have just caused me to be even more informed regarding what’s going on in the community of Jackson so I can translate that information to my residents as they come and go from the building,” stated Thomas.
Thomas believes that the stability of the residents lies within communication. She stated that it begins with letting students know about potential road closures, accidents, or adjustments to campus office hours.
“They [students] all have a regular routine and it’s important to keep them informed so they can pivot properly during this time,” said Thomas.
According to a CNN report, at least 40 people died across nine states beginning on Jan. 12. due to the winter storm that swept across the country. Fatalities have been reported in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and
Wisconsin. Tennessee had the highest number with 14 weather-related deaths reported.
Jackson’s issues with its water infrastructure continued with the recent storm.
According to Mississippi Today, about 12,000 customers, largely in west and south Jackson, are currently seeing low to no water pressure after this week’s winter freeze, third-party manager JXN Water reported on Jan. 18.
The water system also took a hit when misinformation about a possible city-wide water shut-off led to thousands of people in the capitol city saving water that put a huge strain on the system.
Student Publications Manager Shannon Tatum was affected by the misinformation.
“I received several text messages from family and friends, most of whom don’t even live in Jackson, telling me about the water being shut-off,” said Tatum. I didn’t believe the rumors so I didn’t save any water.”
While some students were fortunate enough to make it on campus before the winter storm, others had to postpone their travel back to Jackson.
BreZhé Barfield, a senior business administration major from Milwaukee, Wis., had to miss her first week of school due to the weather.
“I was unable to drive back to school and had to miss the first week of school due to severe snowstorms and icy conditions in my hometown,” stated Barfield.
Although Barfield is away from campus, she remains connected with her instructors to make sure she is not falling behind.
“I’m finding ways to manage during this time by actively communicating with my professors,” said Barfield. “All I have to do now is wait for the weather to clear up.”
As the winter weather began to exit and students started to make their way back to campus, Jackson State University encouraged students to be cautious on the roads and to download the
JSU Safe App for updates.
Students, faculty and staff should be aware that The National Weather Service has issued an alert that dangerously cold air is expected to return to the area on the night of Jan. 19 and continue
affecting the area through Jan. 20. Low temperatures will drop into the teens both nights, with wind chills between zero to 10 degrees.
