Since the summer began back in June, the middle parts of the United States have experienced major heat waves and Langston has been no exception. Beginning in August, Langston University has seen temperatures reach 109 degrees. It has gotten so hot that athletic programs that usually practice outside are having trouble combating the heat.
Ashley Goist, the head athletic trainer, has seen the heat take a toll on the athletes firsthand. “The heat has become a real problem. Girls and boys from the track team started to overheat and pass out. It got to the point where they had to practice inside for a couple days.” Without a doubt this heat is causing issues for many student athletes and is causing more troubles throughout the campus. The AC in the main gym is currently out, causing major issues. According to Donnita Drain-Rogers, the head athletic director, the volleyball team may have to play their games in the SSC (Student Success Center). As of right now they are still practicing in the main gym, but not without tubes of cold air going through the halls into the gym. The AC in Moore Hall has been going in and out for the past month, making professors cancel class because of the hot temperatures inside the building. Kerri S. Lorigan, who teaches survey of western humanities, has had many of her classes on zoom because of how hot the classrooms are. “One day I tried to get the classroom ready for students and I was only in there for about 15 minutes when I started sweating and I didn’t do much but set my computer up.”
According to NBC News, this excessive heat wave is due to a “heat dome” as described by their meteorologist. It is a high-pressure ridge that remains parked over the central U.S., trapping hot air over the region and funneling moisture from the Gulf of Mexico while the jet stream (currents of air high above the Earth) flow further south than normal. With this moisture hovering over the Middle East, cities like OKC, Dallas, Houston, and Memphis have seen heat indexes as high as 103 Degrees Fahrenheit. This is considered a “heat danger zone,” where heat exhaustion is likely and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure.
How can we combat the heat wave and be more prepared for the next one? According to Goist, a good way to combat the heat is to drink plenty of water. Drinking water during the day will help everyone stay hydrated and prevent overheating. Another way to combat the heat is to take advantage of the shade that’s outside.
Gabriel Lane
Staff Writer
Gabriel Lane is a sophomore broadcast journalism major.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
