By Grace Cardinal, Editor-in-Chief
Students were left shaken by a 4.8 magnitude earthquake that hit New York City and the Manhattan College campus on Friday morning. Following the event, students and staff were evacuated out of buildings by Public Safety officers to check for damages. Amidst the mid-morning shock, The Quadrangle spoke to students who were ushered out to the quad after the quake.
Lauren Chappell, graduate student, MBA program
The Quadrangle: Where were you when you felt the earthquake?
Lauren Chappell: I was in the alumni and development office in the basement of Memorial Hall.
TQ: Did you feel the earthquake?
LC: I thought it was just somebody rolling a really heavy cart on the floor above us. And everybody started freaking out. They were like, “No, our computers are moving,” and I said, “I don’t think that is [normal].”
TQ: How did you find out it was an earthquake?
LC: Every single person came out of their office and they were like “it’s an earthquake” and then they confirmed it was a 4.8 [magnitude].
TQ: How do you feel about being evacuated in case of aftershocks?
LC: I wasn’t [nervous] until right now!
Elaina Batista, sophomore political science major
The Quadrangle: Where were you when you felt the earthquake?
Elaina Batista: I was in the library [on the] fifth floor.
TQ: Did you feel the earthquake?
EB: I felt something but I was just like, “Nah, that’s not [one], I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.”
TQ: How do you feel about being evacuated in case of aftershocks?
EB: I’m not nervous at all.
TQ: Was this your first time experiencing an earthquake?
EB: Yes, this is my first earthquake and I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be my last!
Chris Parson, freshman business management major
The Quadrangle: Where were you when you felt the earthquake?
Chris Parson: When the earthquake hit, I was on the sixth floor of O’Malley Library in the Admissions Office, at the front. I was looking around, I felt a little shaky. Nothing too crazy, nothing fell, but everybody definitely felt it.
TQ: Did you feel the earthquake?
CP: Yeah, it was significant.
TQ: How do you feel about being evacuated in case of aftershocks?
CP: I think it’s smart, better to be safe than sorry. I personally don’t think anything’s gonna happen, but us being situated on the hill, you know, it’s possible, it’s dangerous, so I’m happy we evacuated.
TQ: Was this your first time experiencing an earthquake?
CP: No, actually, I experienced one in California when I was in seventh or eighth grade, something like that. It was probably less than this. It was something I had to look up like, “Did I feel it?” but this I definitely felt.
Christina Pilone, sophomore international studies and political science major
The Quadrangle: Where were you when you felt the earthquake?
Christina Pilone: I was in Locke’s, [with my] Airpods in, having my breakfast and then I just felt it. I just looked around because I was like, “Is this an earthquake? Or is it just me?” I didn’t know what I was feeling.
TQ: Did you feel the earthquake?
CP: Yeah, I felt it, and then I turned around, but everybody was minding their own business so I just kept having my breakfast.
TQ: How do you feel about being evacuated in case of aftershocks?
CP: I mean, I guess it’s nice that they’re making sure everything’s fine, but it’s just weird. I think it’s a funny situation.
TQ: Was this your first time experiencing an earthquake?
CP: Yes, it is my first.