Historic Summerville Campus dealing with hurricane damage

Augusta University’s Summerville campus, one of Augusta’s most historic places, is assessing damages and planning steps forward, while also tending to the needs of faculty, staff, and students.

When Helene hit the CSRA with hurricane-force winds, the campus on top of Walton Way suffered damage to buildings and its landscape. There have been some estimates that 85%-90% of the trees have been damaged or destroyed.

“I can’t quote a percentage on that, but it is certainly going to look different,” University President, Russell Keen told ABD. “The landscape is devastated, but what we’re grateful for is that I’ve not had any reports that any of our students or faculty or staff perished or were harmed in a detrimental way, and so people are the most important. As long as we can rebuild everything else, we’re going to be just fine.”

Keen added, “Downtown (at the Health Sciences Campus), we’re doing well. We moved our students, about 87 students, to Gordon State College. Twenty-seven of those were being picked up by parents or guardians at that location. So, our students are off campus, so we’re able to work on cleaning up.”

The Summerville campus also played a significant role in the nation’s history. The U.S. Army Arsenal began in downtown Augusta, but moved to the Walton Way location in the 1820’s. It continued as an arsenal until the mid-1950’s. The land ultimately was given to the Board of Education, creating the Junior College of Augusta, later named Augusta College, and changed again in the mid-1990’s to Augusta State University.

The university is using the Jagwire webpage (https://jagwire.augusta.edu/) to provide updates.

On Monday, the University posted that the Facilities Services team is continuing to inspect damage done to buildings and the grounds. Debris and tree removal are ongoing, and buildings are damaged but in good condition overall. Additionally, IT systems are running on backup power and city officials allowed the university to bring generators back online at the Health Sciences Campus.

Keen also posted to Jagwire an update on the academic calendar. An initial plan was to reopen the campus on Oct. 7 with instructional makeup days on Oct. 10 and 11, Nov. 27, and Dec. 5. Keen said that is no longer the plan moving forward. He has now asked the university’s Provost, Dr. Jennifer Sullivan, to work with deans and department chairs to create a plan to fill any gaps in instruction time.

“My primary concern is for the well-being of you and your families, and I want to ensure that you have all the support you need,” he wrote. “As we plan our path forward, please know that as the situation evolves, you are my number one priority.”

Jagwire is also reminding students who need counseling, that 833-910-3364 is available for calls 24/7, or they can visit the Jags Live Well website https://www.augusta.edu/jagslivewell/

Students who need assistance with medication management from Student Health Services can email studenthealth@augusta.edu

For anyone experiencing needs, or interested in volunteering to help the AU community should visit https://www.augusta.edu/au-cares/

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