Devon Fitzgerald, a freshman majoring in international affairs, is a Hatchet opinions writer.
A true, self-proclaimed “Merribitch” reports from the inside of the #MerriweatherDisaster2K15. Times are approximate.
Day 1: Tuesday, Feb. 10 (The Beginning of the End)
2 a.m. – I decide to leave the rest of my Arabic homework for the morning. “It’ll be fine,” I tell myself. “It’s never worked before, but this time will be different. I’ll wake up. I swear.”
7 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. – I ignore a series of my alarms before my roommate finally gives up on me and turns them off. The winner that I am, I sleep right on through until…
8:48 a.m. – Finally, I’m conscious enough to sit up and begin my homework from the night before. After a few minutes of work, I’m jolted by the sound of loud jackhammering. I think to myself, “Classic Merriweather.”
A minute or so passes and I begin thinking, “The jackhammers sound kind of different today. Almost like an alarm?” I figure it’s nothing, and go about my business.
After a few more seconds, I’m second-guessing myself: “Is this an alarm? Should I be concerned? Probably not.”
Finally, after the sound doesn’t stop, I realize this is 100 percent an alarm. I should probably get up.
I hop out of bed and run to the door, phone in hand. I peek out and see girls running down the hallway. I panic and don’t look back. I run out with them, barefoot and in pajamas.
(I was conscious of the fact that I was leaving the building without shoes. Really, I was. But I figured: “Nothing actually burns down these days. Odds are, this is a drill. Even if not, we’ll be back inside in no time – shoes and coats are for the weak.”)
Once I stumble out the front door of Merri into the cold for the first time that morning, I find myself amid a veritable crisis. Several campus police officers are gathered with my hallmates and resident adviser. They tell us there was a gas leak and we can’t gather next to the building – it’s too dangerous. The officers move all Merriweather evacuees to the Academic Building across the street.
Merriweather Hall has been evacuated, but the Merri residents are all safe and sound! Shout out to @GWPolice for getting us all out safely.
— Merriweather Hall (@MerriweatherRHA) February 10, 2015
Relieved survivors #MerriweatherDisaster2K15 pic.twitter.com/62SbBfwLyf
— Merriweather Hall (@MerriweatherRHA) February 10, 2015
Officials alert Merri-residents that gas levels are too high for the hall to be occupied, and say it should be another hour or so until we’re permitted to re-enter. The residents are moved to Post Hall, where they are very kindly given rations (bagels and whatnot) from Zime.
Almost all of us are in pajamas – most without shoes, clothes, books, phones, laptops and even bras – and stuck in Post Hall in that condition for the immediate future.
Shoeless, pantsless, computerless, we have all safely evacuated #ThanksObama
— Merribetches (@merribetches) February 10, 2015
We email our professors (some understanding, others not so much) to let them know that we would not be attending classes due to the evacuation.
Residents try their best to stay calm and entertain themselves.
Impromptu Intro to American Government class around the living room. Taking advantage of our break #MerriweatherDisaster2K15
— Merriweather Hall (@MerriweatherRHA) February 10, 2015
10:49 a.m. – We receive an email, stating the obvious.
Officials return bearing bad news and pizza. We won’t be allowed inside until the next morning at the earliest.
They later tell us that we will be given a police escort into the building, and we will have approximately five minutes to pack for three days.
To which I immediately respond, “I don’t have clothes for three days. I am not Olivia Pope. Why, oh, why did we not better prepare for the zombie apocalypse?”
We are told to find friends to live with, and if we don’t have any friends, the University could house us. After mentally surveying my list of close and personal amigos I would feel comfortable sleeping in the same room with, I realize all of my friends are these homeless people. The ones in this room. Right here. Homeless. Awesome.
12:38 p.m. – I re-evaluate all life choices up to this point.
In case anyone was wondering how my day is going I AM HOMELESS #MerriweatherDisaster2K15
— Ned Schneebly (@marisburns) February 10, 2015
2:14 p.m. – Many residents evacuate via Uber.
Later that day – We’re alerted that one of our fellow evacuees who didn’t have anywhere to stay was placed in an abandoned Greek townhouse by the Center for Student Engagement. I reach out, and luckily also receive confirmation to live in said townhouse.
2:45 p.m. – I head there with all my luggage and realize I am locked out of said townhouse.
3:02 p.m. – I’m given tap access to said townhouse and move in all luggage, as do several others. I’m no longer homeless, but still without sheets, pillows, towels, toiletries – oh, and lights in our rooms.
5:49 p.m. – Members of the University Police Department come in on a call, thinking we’re squatters. We tell them that we are in fact allowed to be here. They leave in disbelief.
7 p.m. – I attend a sister date with two members of Delta Phi Epsilon and tell tales of the day.
8 p.m. – I attend pledge study hours for DPE and begin receiving bags on bags of supplies.
10 p.m. to midnight – Members of DPE show up at the townhouse, one after another, with supplies for the masses. The common room truly begins to look like a refugee camp.
Merri sends a BIG THANK YOU to @DPEgwu for bringing some of us camped out in a townhouse supplies! ❤️
— Merriweather Hall (@MerriweatherRHA) February 11, 2015
Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 11
9:35 a.m. – Made it on time to my first class. Didn’t even have to wake up at 7 a.m. to run for a Vern Express.
By the end of the day, we’re surviving on a diet of candy, coffee and cookie dough from the Shenkman Hall basement.
11:47 p.m. – I start to seriously wonder if “survived #MerriweatherDisaster2K15” could be listed on a resume.
11:48 p.m. – I start to seriously wonder whether delusion has finally set in.
11:54 p.m. – If the girls from Long Island and New Jersey reference Hurricane Sandy one more time, I’m going to sleep at the Lincoln Memorial.
Midnight – We celebrate the birthday of a Merriweather resident in true refugee fashion, complete with no cake and lots of blankets on a floor.
Day 3: Thursday, Feb. 12
2:54 p.m. – Still haven’t taken advantage of my newfound ability to order from Crepeaway. More and more residents slowly but surely gain permission to join us in the townhouse.
6:20 p.m. – Staffers from the CSE come to provide the Merribitches with pizza, pasta and salad.
Alternately Merri, join us in the kitchen of 607E for Bertucci's dinner! Thanks @GW_Housing and @GW_CSE! pic.twitter.com/QHwJrHJ7t4
— Merriweather Hall (@MerriweatherRHA) February 12, 2015
10:30 p.m. – Residence Hall Association President Ari Massefski stops by to visit the refugees and takes a selfie, Ellen DeGeneres-style. The moment even grabs the attention of Dean of Student Affairs Peter Konwerski, who has apparently become aware of the @merribetches Twitter account.
Hanging out with the evacuees from @MerriweatherRHA in their temporary @GW_Housing home. @merribetches #GWU pic.twitter.com/36RpFeMSEI
— Ari Massefski (@AriMassefski) February 12, 2015
Day 3: Friday, Feb. 13 (Doomsday)
Friday the 13th and the Merriweather Hall evacuee situation continues. Coincidence? I think not. #DaysNotHours #illuminati
— Devon Fitzgerald (@livecolorfully_) February 13, 2015
Residents begin to get antsy and acting on promises of “three days max.” Some pack suitcases for their return, while others are adamant about remaining.
Residents sit on the empty floor of the common room, listening to Taylor Swift and ordering $100 worth of Crepeaway.
@merribetches Maybe I just haven't paid attention, but I haven't seen you happier than the last couple days. Props for the great attitude.
— Ari Massefski (@AriMassefski) February 14, 2015
All appears to be going well, but after the crepes have been consumed, tensions become high.
Day 5: Saturday, Feb. 14 (Oh, is it Valentine’s Day?)
9:35 p.m. – Tall, dark and handsome (eh?) man knocks on door of townhouse requesting a place to warm up from the cold. It’s beyond frigid out there, so we let him in, and he proceeds to stand in a corner for 10 minutes telling us about his small-town college in Michigan and the current trip that he’s on. He’s spending Valentines Day third-wheeling with his friend and his friend’s girlfriend for the day in D.C.
Sounds like a true Merribitch.
The OG refugees take on one of their own to shelter from cold #MerriweatherDisaster2k15 pic.twitter.com/8ViXEiT4dA
— Merribetches (@merribetches) February 15, 2015
Day 5: Sunday, Feb. 15
Our chariot awaits – our chariot being the Vern Express. We’ve received word that we’re going home.
I, for one, refuse to leave this heavenly urban oasis.
Some reflections on this experience
– For starters, Merriweather now has an unauthorized flag.
– Moreover, this was an incredibly frustrating and interesting experience for all involved.
– Apparently, this was not the first time this has happened. A tree fell on Merriweather in 1991, which caused a gas leak, according to a yearbook we found in our basement. (If a tree falls on Merri, does it make a sound?)
– Oh, and if you were wondering, rates for Merriweather Hall have been raised $360 for next year.
