Shaw University placed students in hotels this week after a fire shut down the Dimple Newsome dorm on Friday.
However, students and families tell WRAL the transition to the hotel was not smooth, with confusion about where some students would be placed, how they would get to and from campus, and how the students would still be able to eat.
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“There [were] kids just frantic, frustrated,” Etta Heard told WRAL.
Heard's grandson attends the university, and she said the most frustrating thing has been poor communication from school leaders.
City records show the dorm had several fire safety violations before the fire.
WRAL sent multiple emails to school officials since the fire, but we have not heard back. We sent emails asking more than a dozen questions:
- How many students have been relocated?
- How many students did Dimple Newsome house before the fire?
- I'm hearing that the school was not able to accommodate all of the students who needed them. How is the school assisting those students?
- Is the school providing transportation to/from campus?
- What is the school doing to make sure students are fed?
- The university made a statement about the heating and hot water issues at the dorm this week. What efforts has the university made to fix this issue?
- Was the university aware that the fire alarms were not working? Is the university looking into this issue?
- Why were students still assigned to dorms without heat/broken fire alarms?
- Why weren't students notified about the issues prior to the incident? Why have they still not been notified in writing about their need to move out?
- How long will students be displaced?
- Will students/families receive compensation for the time they are not able to live in student housing?
- What is the university's message to students put in a dangerous situation?
A crew also went to campus on Tuesday to request an interview in person. Campus security directed WRAL to reach back out to university spokespeople through email.
The university did not directly answer any of WRAL’s questions. However, WRAL News obtained a message from a school leader to students that shows a partial shuttle schedule from the campus. Families also tell me the school is providing breakfast at the hotels and lunch and dinner on campus.
Friday, the school sent a statement to both WRAL and to students:
"The well-being of our students and campus community remains our highest priority. A fire occurred on campus last evening in one of our residential facilities. The incident was contained to a single room and was promptly addressed. The University is actively arranging alternative housing accommodations for the students impacted. The residence hall will remain closed while thorough assessments and necessary repairs are completed."Shaw University officials
Some students say they believe that the school is doing its best.
“The communication could be better, but for the most part, I think they're trying to just smooth things out through the unfortunate circumstance,” said student Preston Roquemore. “Obviously, the living conditions aren't going to be incredible; it's not going to be the Four Seasons or anything. But, as long as people have a place to stay, I think that's the best thing.”
