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Weathering

The Storm

BY MICHAEL ROSS On Tuesday morning,
ime in South Florida is often measured as “Before when the recovery teams
Andrew” and “After Andrew,” referencing the 1992 were arriving, one dining
T Category 5 storm that decimated the area. Hurricane hall was already open
Irma, in its strength and level of destruction, may be Florida’s and fully functional for
new time marker. With storms like this haunting the past and the dedicated groups re-
becoming an increasing threat for the future, it is important constructing our campus.
that all in vulnerable areas have an extensive Hurricane Plan Following our Hurricane
established that covers preparation, opening and everything Plan prior to the storm en-
in between. sured that we were ready
Here at the University of Miami (UM), we are no strangers to reopen immediately and
to hurricanes. Known as the “Miami Hurricanes,” the students, smoothly. The UM Dining team, many in homes without elec-
faculty and staff of the University of Miami have a history tricity, AC or hot water, came to campus without complaint
of dealing with hurricanes head-on going back to 1926. UM and ready to work. While movement throughout campus was
Dining has a 58-page Hurricane Plan detailing precautions restricted, our team set up a temporary office in the dining
to take before the storm, how to maintain facilities during hall to make sure operations continued without interruption.
the storm and instructions for immediate reopening. When The residential dining directors and chefs put together full,
Irma first became a serious threat to South Florida, multiple hot menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and had the salad
meetings were called to discuss the plan and keep all the direc- bar and fresh fruit fully stocked. We ensured that a complete
tors on the same page. It was also vital to maintain open and spectrum of allergy-friendly meals was available, in addition to
frequent communication with the university administration vegan and vegetarian dishes. When the 58 students who were
so that decisions could be made in a timely manner. unable to evacuate on their own and were housed in a shelter
The threat of Irma escalated quickly. Students arrived back walked through the door that morning, our team cheered for
on campus from Labor Day weekend on Tuesday, and that them. As facilities and cleaning crew workers walked in the
same evening classes were cancelled for the remainder of the front door, each was greeted with a smile and personal tour
week. Dining Halls remained on normal schedules as long as around the dining facility.
possible to make sure all students were fed; retail locations After Irma, our chefs worked tirelessly to prepare delicious
remained open for faculty and staff; water and MREs (Meals, balanced meals for all essential personnel and students. Our
Ready-to-Eat) were readied for those potentially staying on directors faultlessly coordinated deliveries, facilitated com-
campus. Later in the week when the decision was made to munication and ensured a smooth operation. Managers spent
completely evacuate campus, our team provided fresh fruits, hours contacting each and every one of our associates, making
water, salads, sandwiches and emergency MREs for the students sure their homes and families were safe. Associates from all
and staff who were transported to an off-campus shelter during locations, retail and residential alike, stepped up and jumped
the storm. Before the mandatory evacuation, generators were right into their new roles in the resident dining hall. Over 3,900
tested and filled with fuel; gas and water to the kitchens were meals were served to essential personnel, while 30 cases of
shut down; computers, digital menu boards and POS equip- Powerade, 480 bananas and 160 oranges were distributed to
ment were wrapped with plastic. Food orders were received the teams working on cleanup and repairs around campus in
in preparation for the reopening of campus. 90-degree heat. An additional 580 meals were served to students.
The small group of essential personnel that did the initial Chartwells Higher Education has five pillars that we in-
campus walkthrough Monday after the storm was devastated; corporate into all of our operations: people, ideas, cuisine,
we were hit hard. As we walked through campus, we were community and culture. During times of crisis and disaster, it
lucky to find that our main dining facilities had not sustained is important to stay grounded and realize what is most impor-
any major damages; however, the rest of the campus was not tant. The people we proudly serve, the advance planning and
so fortunate. Many buildings lost air conditioning and power precautions, the food we put out and the UM Dining family
and showed signs of water damage. It was estimated that 60 that has only grown closer during this time have been in the
percent of campus roads and walkways were impassable, while forefront of my mind. Hurricane Irma has made it apparent
the rest were littered with leaves and branches. Campus was that these pillars are alive and well here, and I am proud to
immediately closed to the public and classes were postponed say we look forward to serving the University of Miami com-
until September 25th. The university swiftly entered recovery munity with these same values for years to come.
mode, recruiting a team of roughly 300 essential personnel, Michael Ross is the Chartwells resident district manager
facilities, cleaning and repair groups to begin putting our at University of Miami Dining Services in Florida.
campus back together. —OCH

22 | NOVEMBER 2017 ON-CAMPUS HOSPITALITY