The campus of OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee has once again been recognized with the Storm Ready designation from the National Weather Service and the Storm Ready Advisory Board.

OSUIT first received the distinction in August 2011 and recently received the three-year recognition naming the campus Storm Ready until August 2017.

“We could not have done it without the dedication of everyone who makes our emergency plans and planning happen,” said Devin DeBock, director of residential life and emergency management. “The OSUIT campus community is better prepared to save lives from severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness.”

Continuing that awareness effort, the university is also taking part in Storm the Dorms, an American Red Cross program aimed at college students about what they need to be ready if severe weather hits while living on a college campus.

On Sept. 27, representatives from the Red Cross and Residential Life will go door-to-door distributing material and resource packets to every resident in every dorm room at OSUIT.

“The goal for this is education. Provide our students with the education on how to be safe both on campus and off campus,” DeBock said. “Preparedness is the most important aspect of what we do.”

This is the second time OSUIT has taken part in the Storm the Dorms program.

“We want our community members to have all the information possible in the time of a critical incident,” he said.

Because of the university’s commitment to weather safety and preparedness, OSUIT was also named a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The designation is given to NOAA partners that are working to improve readiness, responsiveness and overall resilience against extreme weather, water and climate events.

The latest weather updates, as well as weather safety tips, procedures and information can all be found on the campus safety's weather page.