38 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M STUDENTS HOSPITALIZED FOR HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AFTER ORIENTATION EVENT
Nearly 40 students at Prairie View A&M University had to be taken to the hospital Friday night for heat-related illness symptoms.
The university said the students were participating in the concluding event of Panther Camp orientation activities when they reported experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion.
According to Waller County EMS, 38 students were transported, including 37 by ground ambulance and one by helicopter.
Vice President for Student Affairs Beverly Copeland said in a message posted on the university’s website that medical and safety personnel responded quickly to support students that were affected.
Copeland said the university will “thoroughly review the decision-making process” surrounding Friday’s event and will also assess upcoming programs. She said it is “fully devoted to ensuring our students’ safety and security while furnishing an all-encompassing college experience.”
Would be interested to know what the students were doing; it was warm, probably around 90 degrees but it was also dark outside. Was it something physically exerting? Were they crowded too closely together? Some actual reporting, maybe talking to students who attended this event, would be enlightening. The administration is vague, but if I were a parent I would expect a full report and an indication of new safeguards to prevent this in the future.
This was complete negligence. When the temperature in the shade is 99F, it’s over time to stay indoors.
How about finding out the full details first before trying to lay blame? Strange so many at same time. But, prayers all are fine.