Northwest has had at least five probable cases of swine flu this semester and administrators are advising students to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the illness, according to Dan Smith, vice president of student affairs.
Colleges all over Mississippi are being struck by the H1N1 swine flu virus and medical experts say that the number of new cases may expand during the fall semester as close contact increases among students.
The World Health Organization has raised the status of H1N1 swine flu from an epidemic to a pandemic, signaling that the virus is now generally present worldwide.
As of Tuesday, Mississippi’s total number of H1N1 cases had risen to 838.
Tate County has confirmed 18 cases of the virus, not including the cases at Northwest. Panola County’s total is up to 21, and DeSoto confirmed 52 cases. The virus has caused a number of deaths nationwide, principally in those with pre-existing health conditions.
Smith said administrators and department heads at Northwest have taken a variety of precautionary steps to deter the spread of the flu virus.
Scott Melton, a freshman art major from Clarksdale, draws on the front campus, near the Administration Building during Ashley Chavis' art class on Sept. 3.
Photo by S.A. Umberger
Homecoming Activities Set to Begin Oct.19
Homecoming this year is scheduled for Oct. 24. During Homecoming Week—Oct. 19-24—a full slate of activities will give students a chance to feel like they are “under the big top.”
On Monday, Oct. 19, a carnival will be held on the Ag field from noon to 6 p.m. with many festivities such as circus food, face painting, inflatable sports challenges and a stilt walker.
The annual Homecoming dance will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 9 p.m. to midnight in Howard Coliseum. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, students at the Senatobia campus will be able to sing karaoke in the cafeteria from 5-7 p.m. Homecoming lunch will be served to students attending the Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center in Oxford.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, a Homecoming breakfast will be served at DeSoto Center beginning at 7:30 a.m. Later that day in Senatobia, Hypnotist Erick Kand will put on a show available free to students with a valid student I.D. That event will be held in the Haraway Center cafeteria. More
Northwest Sets Record Enrollment
By T.J. Jernigan - The Ranger Rocket Editor
With a total of 8,364 students registered for the fall semester, all Northwest campuses are reporting all-time high enrollment numbers. The college growth has been on an upward spiral since fall 2006.
Now that the first weeks of the fall semester have passed, administrators and students both agree that the signs of growth are clearly visible.
The Senatobia campus enrolled a total of 3,163 students while the Lafayette/Yalobusha Technical Center reported a total of 1,395.
Virtual classes, or eLearning has become Northwest’s fastest growing campus with 558 students, a 27.1 increase from last year.
Bringing in a total of 3,248 students, the DeSoto Center became the largest campus in terms of student population, adding 460 more students compared to Fall 2008.
“The growth is quite visible, especially between classes when you walk down the hall,” said Richie Lawson, dean of the DeSoto Center. “All of our classes are full, and it is certainly more crowded. No doubt we will need more space in the future.”
Dr. Chuck Strong, vice president for educational affairs said that with increased enrollment, some additional faculty has been added. More
Sept. 17, 
