Arkansas Tech University has developed an eclipse reservation plan for guests that will engage and benefit ATU student organizations.
Individuals may visit www.atu.edu/eclipse/bookings.php to reserve spaces to observe the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, from the grounds of the Arkansas Tech campus in Russellville.
Proceeds from the reservations will be directed to ATU student organizations, which will provide trained and prepared members to help staff the reserved campus spaces and provide for the comfort and safety of guests.
“The ATU Department of Public Safety and faculty from the ATU emergency management program are taking the lead in training and preparing Arkansas Tech students to help host our eclipse guests on campus,” said Susan West, ATU associate professor of hospitality administration and chair of the ATU eclipse committee. “Students serving as eclipse staff members will receive CERT (community emergency response team) training and will be fully supported by ATU Department of Public Safety officers throughout the duration of the eclipse reservations.
“We look forward to hosting a fun and safe celebration of the total solar eclipse at Arkansas Tech,” continued West. “We are focusing on providing a great experience to our guests and students, maintaining a safe environment and protecting ATU property so we can return to normal operations once the eclipse is complete and our guests return home.”
ATU in Russellville and Ozark will be open until noon on Friday, April 5.
Classes and operations will move to virtual for the afternoon on Friday, April 5, and all day on Monday, April 8, and Tuesday, April 9.
Identified essential personnel as determined by ATU division leaders will report to campus during the April 5-9 time frame to help the university accommodate on-campus students and visitors.
More information about on-campus events related to the eclipse will be communicated at a later date.
