The University-wide test of the Campus Alert Notification Network (CANN) Nov. 14th was, overall, a great success for the University. At common hour, 13,870 students received text messages and phone calls on their landlines and cell phones. Fire drills in the residence halls were held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. all week long. The Dean of Students’ office held personal safety workshops in the Cultural Center Theater. During the common hour test, the University’s Web site showcased an emergency message on its homepage. The HofCast halted its normal broadcasting across campus to show that CANN meant business-and was highly effective.

However, there is something that students weren’t informed about on the “emergency awareness week” flyer. On the same day as the CANN common hour test, the power was shut down from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the Student Center, leaving all offices and computer labs without power, including The Chronicle office. Though it was not widely publicized, the Nassau County Fire Department was scheduled to inspect all emergency lighting in the Student Center. Everything went dark expect a few lights near entrances and exits. However, The Chronicle was not informed until 30 minutes before lights-out.

We had an issue to put out.

Monday through Wednesday, the majority of The Chronicle’s editorial board is working in room 203 of the Student Center. The Chronicle is a club, but the staff provides a service to the University by covering the Hofstra community and the immediate Nassau County area. They work long hours with no pay, along with balancing their classes, work and social lives. The delay caused by the emergency light inspection set our Wednesday layout night back nearly three hours. The final product was completed at 6:45 a.m.

Outside, as the sun was rising, the editors were going to bed.

Considering Public Safety knows The Chronicle staff publishes on Wednesday nights, it is unacceptable that we were unaware about the fire department test. If the staff knew beforehand, deadlines could have been moved up and we could have finished earlier. Most of our editors stay up throughout the night just for the sake of the paper. They still are up early for class and maintain high GPAs.

CANN is a positive advancement for the University, however, don’t forget The Chronicle. We’re always watching.