NATCHITOCHES – As conditions continue to improve in regards to power and water restoration, Northwestern State University will begin holding in-person classes beginning Wednesday, Feb. 24 on campuses in Natchitoches, Leesville and Alexandria. Faculty and staff work schedules will also return to normal Wednesday.

The university will make a decision and announcement about whether to reopen the Shreveport campus as soon as water issues are resolved. Until that announcement is made, classes on the Shreveport campus will remain virtual.

As of Monday, Feb. 22, NSU administrators continued to work with local plumbers and electricians to identify and repair water leaks and electrical issues while communities in the region remained under a boil advisory.  Residents should boil water for 1 full minute before consuming it. Those who do have water should conserve it.

Some problems persisted at University Columns Building 2 and Building 7 Monday but the Clubhouse remains open where residential students can utilize warming/charging stations and other amenities. Student may also opt to temporarily relocate to another residential facility. Laundry facilities were not yet available Monday as building managers awaited water pressure to return to 100 percent.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress on the water pressure and that is expected to continue to improve,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio.

Residential students who have been at their homes can begin traveling back to Natchitoches beginning Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Dining hours at Iberville on Tuesday, Feb. 23 will be 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for brunch and 4:3-6:30 p.m. for dinner. Chick-fil-A will be open from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Steak ‘n Shake will be open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday.  Dining hours will return to normal on Wednesday, Feb. 24.   Iberville will be open from 7-10 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch and 4:30-7 p.m. for dinner.

Chick-fil-A will be open from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. beginning Wednesday but with limited menu items until the boil advisory is lifted, due to company guidelines.  They will only offer items that require no water such as nuggets, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, spicy sandwiches, grilled chicken sandwiches, grilled nuggets, waffle fries and cookies.

Beginning Wednesday, Steak n Shake will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Vic’s will be open from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Café DeMon is closed until further notice due to the boil advisory.

The 24-hour computer lab in Russell Hall is open and operational.

The NSU Post Office will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Feb. 23.  Friday hours are 8 a.m.-noon.  Please keep in mind that all three major delivery companies are behind schedule due to the twin challenges of weather and COVID-19.  Items that were scheduled for delivery last week or this week may be subject to significant delays.

Watson Library will be open from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 and will resume regular hours Wednesday, Feb. 24. Access and Disability Services will be open from 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and resume regular hours Wednesday.

Offices in the Student Services Center, including Financial Aid, Admissions, Recruiting, First Year Experience and Vice President of Student Experience/Dean of Students will be open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday.

The NSU Food Pantry will be open from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday.

Health Services will be open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

In the Student Union, Esports will be open from 3:30-9 p.m. Tuesday.  Counseling and Career Services will be open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. the Lobby and meeting rooms will be open from noon9 p.m.

The NSU WRAC is in full operation. Hours are 5:30 am.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

In the event of an emergency, students should call University Police at (318) 357-5431 or (318) 471-4184.

Residential students can also contact the RA on call as follows:

University Columns RA on Call – (318) 663-7992
University Place 1 RA on call – (318) 471-0551
University Place 2 RA on call – (318) 471-0179
Varnado Hall RA on call – (318) 471-3382

Updates will be posted at www.nsula.edu and on the university’s social media platforms as additional information becomes available.