McNeese State University officials continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Gustav and plans to prepare the campus are underway.

All non-essential buildings will be closed and secured beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29. The residence halls, dining services, library, athletic complex and university police will remain open.

"This storm could change course and move rapidly over the weekend and we need to be prepared," Candace Townsend, McNeese director of public information and communications, said. "At this time we expect that classes and all normal operations will be held as usual on Tuesday." McNeese is scheduled to be closed on Monday in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

The McNeese Emergency Preparedness and Response Team will meet again Friday morning and throughout the weekend to discuss future plans for the campus. An updated plan will be announced as we have more information on the anticipated path of the storm, Townsend said.

"All McNeese employees and students are advised to monitor their McNeese e-mail accounts and the McNeese Web page for the most current campus information.

Townsend said that employees and students should closely monitor local and national media during the next 48 hours for updates on the storm's path and any parish and state announcements. "Links to many of these Web pages are on the McNeese Emergency Web Page."