THE SEAHAWK/SEPTEMBER 1 S, ZOOI John Foster Allison Knight Students prone to depression Caution, awareness crucial during hurricane season dence halls and academic areas are cleared and sealed during an evacuation. The po lice keep the campus secure, complete with inspection teams and engineers. “Through this policy, houses as well as furniture are secured before the storm, and the safety of residents can be guaranteed,” Riley said. In the event of a hurricane, the Direc tor of Environmental Health and Safety, Stan Hartz and volunteers make available resources in the event of an emergency re covery. “It is the task of Stan Harts to make changes to the original plan as the hurri cane progresses,” Riley said. Police, maintenance men, grounds keepers, mechanics, heating and air repair men and electricians all work to restore the campus after a hurricane hits. The En vironmental Health and Safety Agency monitors science buildings, prevents loss of ventilation, and inspect buildings for damage. After the hurricane, students can find out information about the current status of the area, when to return to campus and when classes will begin at the Hurricane Hotline, 962-3991. To find out more information about the evacuation policy, contact Senior Manage ment at 962-3151. Campus life and class demands add hundreds of pounds to the weight that already looms around the necks of col lege students, but too much stress can be dangerous. Depression is a mental disorder that affects brain function and motor coor dination skills. College students make up a large part of the people suffering from clinical depression, especially un dergraduates. “I see less graduates than under graduates,” said Jim Cuomo, a licensed clinical social worker. Cuomo has specialized in psychiatric treatment since 1971. He estimates that three out of four of his clients suffer from depression. Assistant Director of Counseling Dee Casey warns that some individuals may have a certain brain chemistry that is susceptible to depression. People who have relatives who suffer from depres sion are at a higher risk of developing the disorder. Common causes of depression in clude the loss of a loved one, relation ship trouble and news of a life threaten ing medical condition. Depression can also manifest from minor blues, such as homesickness. “However the symptoms of depres sion can be the same as certain medical conditions, such as dysfunctional Thy roid gland,” Cuomo said. “A physical exam is always a good idea.” Cuomo speculates that there is no sig nificant part of the UNCW population that is affected more than any other. However, most people suffering from depression don’t come to a counselor early enough. “Sometimes when people are de pressed they feel so low, they don’t even feel like getting help,” Casey said. Therapists at the counseling center can help students battle depression. UNCW is prepared for students suf fering depression. The Resident Assis tants at each Residence Hall are trained to notice the signs of depression. Coun selors as well as medical consultants are available at the Health and Wellness center. For more information about depres sion contact the Counseling Center at 962-3746. Signs of depression ♦ Inability to concentrate ♦ Diminished or increased appetite Crying spells ♦ Suicidal thoughts with or without plan ♦ Loss of energy and/or fatigue ♦Diminished motivation and pleasure in daily life ♦ Sleep disturbances MORTON & ADAMS. P.C. ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW UNCONTESTED DIVORCE (NO COURT APPEARANCE NECESSARY) TRAFFIC TICKETS/DWI FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION (888) 884-8434 VISIT MY WEBSITE AT: www.JMortonEsq.com The threat of storms looms during hur ricane season, but that threat peaks in Sep tember, the most active month for tropical weather. Hurricane evacuation policies are a pre caution at UNCW that have been integrated into the curriculum for many years now. In case of a storm, safety measures are ex ercised to reflect the students’ best inter- Educational buildings and residential halls used to be boarded up, but in recent years it has become evident that evacua tion of the campus is a much safer proce dure. The hurricane evacuation policy be came formal in 1999 when Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston. The hurricane policy is set up by the Ad ministration of Environmental Health and Safety. Under the policy, students are al lowed to leave during the voluntary evacu ation of the beaches. “The debriefing of this new policy of fers a wider opportunity for students to evacuate,” Assistant Chief of Police Ma jor Bob Riley said In case of an evacuation, a student who does not have previous access to a house that is inland should contact the Dean of Students Office. They have a list of potential host families. Resident stu dents should leave a contact source for parents with their resident assistants or resi dent coordinator. “There is plenty of warn ing and ways to prepare for the hurricane,” Riley said. When a hurricane is an nounced, the police move to the Command Center in the University Union. They transfer phones and com munication equipment and operate out of the Command Center. The dorms are shut down during evacuation. Resi- NOAA satellite image of 1999’s powerful Hurricane Floyd as it headed toward the east coast. 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