LEFT: (Left to Right) Sara Jones, Christy Kincade, Kristen McCleary and Melissa Harris at President Clinton’s motorcade.

BELOW: President Clinton waves goodbye as he boards Air Force One.

Dennis, the hurricane wannabe, menaced the Hampton Roads area recently, causing a great deal of inconvenience to inhabitants. Nearly a full week of rain caused flooding of certain areas and power outages occurred every five minutes. Although Dennis didn’t create much damage, it is just one of many potentially threatening hurricanes that will plague our area throughout the season.

September and October are the months we see most hurricane activity. According to Fred Yco, meteorologist at WAVY-TV 10, it will be an active hurricane season.

'Right now all of the elements are just right to create a hurricane," said Yco. "We are definitely due for the big one."

The peak time for active, severe weather is the second week in September, just in time for students going back to school. Yco says resident college students are most vulnerable when severe weather hits because they may not have experienced a hurricane before and don’t know how to prepare.

"Preparedness is everything," said Yco. "Hindsight is 20/20."

He says it’s imperative to watch the news and stay abreast of all hurricane updates. Everyone in the area should begin taking precautions 36 hours before the threat of severe weather, which at that point is considered a hurricane watch. When a hurricane warning has been issued, 24 hours before the storm hits, residents should put their survival plan into action.

During the storm, stay away from windows and remain indoors. Cars should be parked away from trees with the windows closed because severe weather causes soil to loosen, making root stabilization very weak, which results in trees snapping.

Although Dennis didn’t directly hit us, Yco says that coastal areas can feel the effects as far as 200 miles past the eye of the storm. Indirectly, Dennis caused a considerable amount of flooding, beach erosion and a wide range of power outages.

The students of VWC felt the effects of the strong winds and heavy rain that accompanied the storm. David Hopper, director of the Physical Plant and Lina Cottingham, director of Residence Life, recalled the damage. see HURRICANE

The relocation of the administrative offices will not only provide a nicer atmosphere for the employees to work in, but also provide space for the library to grow.

The Godwin Administration Building, named for the former Virginia governor Mills Godwin, is slated for full operation by the first week of October.

Brian Richter, Virginia Wesleyan’s Assistant Director of Admissions, said the admissions office will be the first branch to move into the new building. Richter is excited about the Godwin building because he knows it will make the campus even more pleasing to the eye. He feels that the more modern facilities the campus has, the easier it will be to attract graduating high school seniors.

When asked how the Godwin building will best affect current students Richter said, "The library now has room to add to its size. The whole building will improve. More books, journals, and a student art space."

A big feature of the new building is the Barclay Sheaks Art Gallery which will be exhibited in the foyer of the Godwin building.

Sheaks, the founder of Virginia Wesleyan’s art department, is the resident artist and an assistant art professor here on campus. "For artists, it is an honor to have a gallery devoted specifically to their work," Sheaks said.

Also located in the Godwin Administration building is the president’s suite, which includes a new conference room for meetings and other functions.

Other offices to be located in the Godwin building are as follows: financial aid, the dean of students, development, alumni, and public communications.