The night of the fire, as students that were displaced from Theresian and Providence halls were moved to Pacelli and Ayres halls, other residence students found themselves hesitant to spend the night in their rooms.

Some left campus while others stayed with friends and relatives. Residents walked out of their halls with suitcases, boxes, and bags. A parade of vehicles left campus through the back gate, the front gate entrance being closed due to emergency personnel.

“The group of girls I was with decided it might be safer to take off from campus for a little while,” said Lovelia Lopez, freshman.

She was not alone. Some students took advantage of an offer for free rooms for Lake students at one downtown hotel.

Some students, after contacting their families, began the process of an early check-out. “I don’t like what’s going on, especially in this building (Centennial Hall) and after the fire, I just don’t feel safe here,” said Bianca Araujo, sophomore.

As a result of student uncertainty, there was a forum held Thursday, May 9 with Dr. David Estes, executive vice president. He discussed the posting of uniformed security guards, who will observe and patrol the residence halls 24 hours a day from the remainder of the semester.

A number of students have said that they felt abandoned by the administration and the student elected officials. During the Centennial forum, one student complained about the length of time for information to be disseminated from administrators to students.

With the end of the semester near, students are still uncertain. The only thing that is certain; life on campus will never be the same.