Levee removal update

Progress is being made removing the contingency levees around campus. Crews need space and time for a few more days. There will be no parking on College Street through June 2 to allow crews to finish.

The Foss and Science parking lots will remain closed until further notice. VCSU and other officials need to assess the lots and determine a course of action.

Levee removal

Crews will remove the clay levees on College St and around the campus this weekend. Please do not park on College St during this time. If you need to be on campus this weekend, please use alternative routes, parking areas, and caution.

Dike removal

Crews are removing the dikes around campus and town. Crews are starting on 4th Ave SW and working from the city park to Snoeyenbos. Trucks and other equipment will use 4th Ave and connecting roads. PLease give these vehicles space and use caution when traveling in these areas.

When crews start working on College Street, the campus will notify the campus community about traffic and parking changes.

Bayer packages

From Homeland Security - At 1722 hours on May 22, the Boston Intelligence Center (BRIC) reported via email that between May 20th and May 29th, 2009 there will be a nationwide mass mailing of 178,000 envelopes from the Bayer Aspirin Company. Approximately 33,561 of these envelopes will contain a sample of Bayer Aspirin Crystals, which is a white powder. Area police departments, EMT's, 9-1-1 Centers, First Responder agencies and hospitals should be aware of these mailings and the potential they present as "white powder" calls. In addition, private sector mailrooms should be aware that these envelopes may be coming through their respective facilities.

Summer Safety Tips

Summer Weather Information

Valley City State University (VCSU) is located in Valley City in Barnes County. If a weather advisory is posted, please pay attention to the information for Barnes County.

• High wind – North Dakota does experience winds in excess of 40 mph during the year. In these situations, please use caution when driving (lower speeds) and walking.
• Severe Thunderstorms – Severe thunderstorms may develop and cause high wind, heavy rain, severe lightning, hail, and even tornadoes.
• Severe weather may require you to take shelter. Quickly move to the lowest level hallway of the dorm, and stay away from windows and glass doors. Stay indoors until the severe weather passes.
• Valley City may use a community siren in severe weather. If you hear a long steady siren, immediately turn you radio to a local station.

Get weather advisories and warnings

Local radio stations
1490 AM 101.1 FM 103.1 FM 600 AM 93.3 FM

Local TV stations
Channel 4 Channel 6 Channel 9 (or 7 via antenna) Channel 11

Summer health protection

Heat, sun, and bugs may cause health problems during the summer months. People should drink plenty of water, use sun screen and bug repellant, and check themselves for insects such as ticks. For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control website click here.

VCSU Scholarship Auction tomorrow

Tomorrow (May 29) is the VCSU Scholarship Auction... tickets are still available at the University Advancement office.

Missing student returned

A missing exchange student from Edgeley was located and returned to the area. The student apparently hitchhiked his way to Fergus Falls. More information on the Fargo Forum's article, http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/241973/

Edgeley student missing

Authorities in southeastern North Dakota are looking for a high school exchange student from India who went missing from the Edgeley school on Saturday night, after returning from a track meet in Jamestown. The student's name is Harman Singh and he is 16 years old.

Superintendent Rick Diegel calls it a "bizarre" situation. He says the boy left "goodbye" notes in the lockers of four students. He won't say exactly what the notes said, but he says they were not suicide notes.

Diegel says the boy has not had any previous problems at the school, and was active in many activities. He says the student even qualified for the state speech meet.

Authorities took precautions such as searching the school for anything suspicious and having two law officers on hand Monday. Diegel says that was done because the school felt an obligation to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Congrats!

Congratulations to the 2009 VCSU graduates!

Graduation tomorrow

Tomorrow is VCSU's graduation. Remember, graduation will be at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, commonly known as "the Bubble." The ceremony starts at 10 am.

Dike removal

Valley City is in the process of finalizing and bidding dike removal. The first step involved many processes, which caused some delays. It is hoped that the city will have a contractor next week, and can start removing the dikes as soon as possible. Residents should see dike removal start within 10 days, and the process will last no more than 28 days.

Sand bag removal and other clean-up processes have yet to be determined.

City services restored

Valley City Mayor Mary Lee Nielson says residents can once again take showers, wash cloths and use dishwashers. The waste water restriction was lifted on Thursday.
Nielson says residents should still conserve on their water usage as a precaution being the master lift station is a temporary fix.
The new one will be under construction this summer and will not be completed until late summer or early fall.
Nielson says contingency dikes will not be removed until federal stipulations concerning reimbursement of federal dollars involving the post flood cleanup are settled.

Source: newsdakota.com

Monitoring H1N1

Valley City State University is monitoring the H1N1 (Swine) Flu outbreak. The campus works with city, county, and state officials to plan and prepare for any pandemic. There is no reason to panic, as the state is prepared with H1N1 treatment.VCSU encourages faculty, staff, students, visitors, and others to practice good hygiene. Proper hand washing/sanitizing and covering a cough help stop the spread of germs. Below is some information from the CDC:

• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

VCSU Graduation update

Location and Time
Commencement will be held at the W.E. Osmon Field House on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at 10:00 am. With the move of the location, graduates will not be limited to only 6 guests each; tickets will NOT be needed to attend the ceremony; there will be UNLIMITED seating available.

Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns can be picked up from the VCSU Bookstore, their hours are 7:45 am to 4:30 pm. The Bookstore will also be open during the Senior Luncheon so you would have a opportunity to pick up at that time too.

Senior Luncheon
The luncheon will still be held on Friday, May 15 at the VCSU Student Center but will start at 1:00 pm. The luncheon is free to all those graduating and I would encourage you to attend. Family members are welcome to attend the luncheon at a cost of $5 each. If you plan to attend the luncheon please RSVP to kim.hesch@vcsu.edu.

Rehearsal
Rehearsal for the Commencement Exercises will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, May 15 at the W.E. Osmon Field House. This rehearsal is important! Please make every attempt to be present. Seat numbers for the ceremony will be posted outside the Foundation Office (McFarland Hall, Room 212) on Thursday, May 14 and will also be available at the senior luncheon. Please be in your assigned seat by 3:00 pm. Directions will be given for the processional, recessional, and the granting and conferring of degrees and diplomas.

Letter to parents

President Shirley has posted a letter to parents on the VCSU Flood page. This letter gives parents information and updates about the campus. Parents will receive this letter in the US mail. There are other communication pieces available on the flood page.

City traffic

Road conditions and traffic changes have created the need for lower speed limits in parts of town. In addition, traffic/street lights are back to normal function at many intersections. Please pay attention to traffic signage and lights.

No more port-a-potties

The portable toilets are leaving Valley City. Crews started removing the portable toilets yesterday, and will continue during the weekend. The minimal toilet use is working. Sheyenne River continues a slow decrease during the past few days, and may drop below 15 feet on Monday or Tuesday.