<p>concerneddad-Glad to hear from you; saw you in the Parents Forum and thought I'd bring this topic over here, since there's so much detail.</p>
<p>S is not in touch too much as he left the right call charger at home in Maine and has to preserve his <em>juice.</em> However, he did call earlier from Jackson, and it's hard for me to sort out what might be <em>information</em> from what is rumor. He said that the counselors are telling them they won't be back at Tulane mid-week as planned, but that it might be "2-3 weeks." At that moment, he wasn't having the fun "bonding" experience I had hoped for, but rather was chafing from sleeping on the gym floor. He says that some police/security officers recommended that anyone who could fly out of Jackson should do so, and they would transport them. He, however, had found another kid from Maine whose parents are planning to pick him up and drive him back to Maine!?!?? He wants to go with him and we told him to do whatever makes him comfortable. I'm having trouble imagining they'll do anything but get to Maine and then turn right back around and fly to Tulane. Whatever happens is ok with me, but it sure is confusing when there's little opportunity for communication and no way to know what to believe.</p>
<p>Any "reliable" info you could post will be much appreciated (altho it might be too late to change S' plans).</p>
<p>Is your son's stuff at Tulane? DD unpacked the car per RA instructions and then high-tailed it out of there; she and the rest of the family are staying in Baton Rouge until they figure out what to do. I can't imagine that the university can open later this week unless the storm makes a drastic change of course. I too am thinking she's going to have to drive all the way back home and then fly back down.</p>
<p>Yes, all his stuff is at Tulane. We were able to completely set up the room, and it was recommended that he put valuables in the closet - so his computer, stereo etc. are in there. Roomate had brought his valuable guitar, so that is in his closet along with TV and whatever else he considered valuable. </p>
<p>geena - we, too, are in Baton Rouge expecting heavy rains, etc. as BR is not all that far from NOLA. Will keep you posted if we don't lose power/internet etc. </p>
<p>So hard to tell - how can anyone know when they can come back? Storm could be less devastating than expected, very bad or not - who knows? Haven't seen anything "official" yet which differs from the original mid-week plan. But the emergency info website was last updated around 11 this morning and not sure when another update will happen. Probably not much to say right now, anyway.</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear that students have arrived in Jackson. We were shocked after returning from a high school football game Friday night to learn that Katrina had changed direction and had turned so ugly. Concerneddad, I had forgotten that your son will be hanging around because of his TEMS responsibilities. I know that he will of course use good judgement in staying safe and will be invaluable in helping those around him. </p>
<p>I am truly sorry that freshman parents had to cut orientation short and that the kids didn't have their time to ease into life at Tulane. Last year, we were afforded three whole weeks before the kids had to bug out for Ivan. My son flew home for Ivan, but this year will have his car. We were fortunate enough that all of this unfolded before we left the DFW area.</p>
<p>The uncertaintly that this semester holds for our kids is huge, but it pales in comparison to the trauma that metro NO citizens face. My heart breaks at the sight of those with no means fighting for their place in the Superdome. May God be with them all.</p>
<p>Thanks Along~ Spoke to my son an hour ago, he and the rest of his TEMS teammates should be about 50 miles from Jackson, MS right now -- and traffic is o.k.</p>
<p>So, I am just waiting to get his call that he is there and safe.</p>
<p>I too think of last year and can only imagine the agony that the freshmen and their parents are going through. I am trying not to worry about what will come of this term, and just hoping that people stay safe.</p>
<p>concerned- I will be relieved for you, too, when you hear that your S is in Jackson. Haven't heard from my S for about 7 hours; presume he is enroute to Maine with the other Maine family. We freshmen parents, speaking for myself, are not really feeling agony, but rather a state of suspended animation. I am hoping that S will take this as a "gap week", "gap month" or "gap whatever" and not be too discouraged about this type of start. That is really the only worry I have for us, personally. </p>
<p>The rest of my worries are saved for hoping that the University infrastructure is not too devastated and, more importantly, that the population of New Orleans and surrounds can escape as much harm as possible. We are evacuated here to Baton Rouge, where we are surrounded by other evacuees who are just praying they have a home and jobs to come home to. We are very fortunate by comparison.</p>
<p>jmmom, my son, too, left his charger at home and now we haven't heard from him since last night. We are at home in NC and don't have any idea what it's like for him in Jackson. Do they have wireless internet access there? He did take his laptop with him. What do we do??????</p>
<p>Cty~, just remain calm. I spoke with my son about an hour and a half ago -- he was about 50 miles south of Jackson. They had just stopped to load up with more provisions and they are in contact with the TEMS members in already in Jackson. There was some talk of moving West, but nothing is certain as of this moment. My promised to let me know where he and his group end up tonight, and I will pass on any info I get from him to all of you as soon as I get any news. </p>
<p>Maybe it is wishful thinking, but I feel that it will not turn out as bad as the media fears.</p>
<p>jmmom, here's to a "gap whatever!" We too, are hoping that the infrastructure fairs well, but are trying to stay mentally prepared for whatever comes. There's no doubt that we have been the fortunate ones in all of this.</p>
<p>ctymom, if your son is like mine, he probably assumes that you know he's fine in Jackson. If you haven't heard anything from him, I would think all is well. If he was miserable, he would have most likely borrowed a charger or phone and called home. Doesn't ease your worries, I know.</p>
<p>Just a quick note to say that my son and the 7 other TEMS members made it to Jackson, MS and will stay there for the night. A decision will be made later on whether to move further west or not.</p>
<p>Happy that you have heard, concerneddad. If you are anything like me, just getting a word from them feels so good. S called me on cell at just about the time you must have heard from your S. Unfortunately, the cell connection did not take and I cannot reach him back. Guessing that he is in a no-reception area and lost the connection right away. I feel certain that they are far out of Jackson by now. But, as you can see from my post-time, sleep is not in the cards at the moment.</p>
<p>I have given up watching TV. Too upsetting and no real news yet anyway. Praying is all that is left. For a miracle.</p>
<p>I have my fingers crossed that everyone comes home safely.</p>
<p>What a crazy trip. We got all my oldest D's stuff loaded into her dorm room (Wall Residential) on Sat. We missed meeting her room-mate who, evidently, dropped off her things in the room and turned around and returned with her parents to Chicago.</p>
<p>I dropped my wife and youngest daughter off at the N.O. airport Sat. night because they weren't guarenteed a taxi to catch their morning flight back home. They ended up staying awake all night. My flight was for late Mon. afternoon because I was planning to participate in the rest of the activities. I couldn't get a flight out for me and my D either Sat. or Sun.</p>
<p>We ended up taking our rental car to Houston. We left Sat. night and spent the night in Lake Charles. Because of the N.O. refugees filling up the Houston hotels we ended up all the way north in College Station, TX.</p>
<p>We are headed back to Houston today to fly back to Baltimore and home. </p>
<p>We just spoke to the father of our son's roommate, who said that as of last night there were three to four hundred people at Jackson State, with about two hundred more expected today, mostly from the athletic programs, which were to have started before school. They were making a run to WalMart to buy sleeping bags, etc. Apparently our son wasn't the only onw who left his cell charger behind to save space, so who knows how much else we'll find out? We should hear more tonight one way or another.</p>
<p>By then we'll have a idea of how long authorities think they might have to stay away from NO, so we might know whether we should go back to get our son and a couple of others and bring them here for however long it takes. I'm thinking of you all and will share whatever I find out. Please do the same.</p>
<p>I just heard from son. Everyone in Jackson is fine. The TEMS crew is going on another supply run, and all will hunker down in Jackson and wait out the storm. The reports they are hearing are matching the TV reports -- things are not as bad in N.O. as they could have been, or as predicted.</p>
<p>"The emergency team located on the uptown campus has been in frequent contact with the university's team at Jackson State University. The approximately 400 students who are located there and are accompanied by university officials, are doing well and are safe. Anyone seeking information about these students may call (601) 979-1964."</p>
<p>Hopefully we'll get a preliminary report on the campus soon, or at least will see it on the news. I have to admit I was glad to see the Quarter is still there. CNN reported 400 in the Tulane shelter in Jackson - including the football team and university personnel. They also said the Garden District's historic homes took quite a beating.</p>