<p>I hope that all the people in New Orleans can restore their life as quickly as possible. </p>
<p>Given the state of New Orleans I tend to believe that it is going to be 3 to 6 months before they get the water out and clean up the city.
The rebuilding is going to take some time. </p>
<p>This is a disaster of unimaginable scope it is going to take a long time to get New Orleans back on its feet.</p>
<p>I would be very concerned about Tulane being able to resume classes any time soon. The first semester is most likely lost and the second semester is sketchy at best. It might be best for anyone that can to start looking for other schools to attend.</p>
<p>My daughter is a senior at Tulane and I am please to report that the colleges in the Washington DC area have been wonderfully welcoming to her. American, GW and George Mason were all willing to admit her as a non-degree student for a semester based on a phone call, although GW had limited course availability at this point. American was even willing to give her campus housing, which we didn't need. Another Tulane mom said she'd had a similar response from U of Maryland. Luckily my daughter had a copy of her transcript at home that she had used for a summer job application, which helped for placement but they would have taken her without it. She's enrolled at George Mason and starts classes tomorrow. We're in-state so it's not too expensive. She could have gone back to work at the job she had all summer, but doesn't want to fall a semester behind, since she's planning on grad school. She decided to go to GMU because she's really hoping Tulane will open this semester and I told her that it it happens, we'll not worry about the GMU tuition and just send her back.</p>
<p>curiouser-
What has your son decided? We were told by UGA that they could not take students this semester, but were happy to have them next semester. I am sure will all of the phone calls the local colleges are getting, some of us will be getting different answers.</p>
<p>My son wants to stay in the Atlanta area so that he can live at home, work, and put money away for med school.</p>
<p>The deadline for those who want to enroll at Queens College (City University of NY) is Thursday (Sept. 1), after this date, you have to get permission from each professor. The admission office is very understanding and helpful.</p>
<p>Folks be advised, not only will it take 3-9 months to clean up the water and repair damaged buildings,but, if Tulane is flooded, there will be mold problems too! This can be a long term problem.</p>
<p>Tulane is not flooded. Keep in mind that it's one of the few parts of New Orleans above sea level.</p>
<p>emergency.tulane.edu has been updated.</p>
<p>EDIT: I've spoken to a lot of my classmates and a lot of people are considering taking a semester elsewhere and/or transferring for good. I'm sick of everyone blowing this out of proportion, Tulane is not in bad shape, it's the rest of the city that is. The Garden District wasn't affected that badly; it's one of the only parts of the city that isn't underwater.</p>
<p>EDIT²: Forget the flooding and molding, the humidity and no air conditioning will make everything moldy anyhow.</p>
<p>Rice has just announced that Tulane students from the Houston area will be allowed to enroll for the fall semester and tuition will be waived. Texas Southern University is also accepting students from Louisiana.</p>
<p>EDIT: Actually it seems that they're willing to accept any student, but are only inviting Houston-area students since they have no housing to offer.</p>
<p>Kudos to Rice, although it does not look like Tulane has given up hope of a Fall term just yet.</p>
<p>August 31, 6 p.m.</p>
<pre><code>Things continue to be unstable in New Orleans, although there is hope that we have experienced the worst. We continue to put the safety of students and employees first. We are working around the clock to bring continuity to the university and to re-establish our presence, however much of this is dependant on the city of New Orleans and Mother Nature. One of our greatest frustrations is our inability to communicate with our larger community due to the failure of all utilities, including e-mail and cell phones. Over the next few days we will have a better handle on the timeline for our recovery. In the meantime, nearly all of our students have been relocated to their home communities or other safe locations under our supervision. All of our residence halls are secure and the contents appear intact. I know all of our students are anxious about our re-opening date; again, in the next few days we will be able to speak more confidently about a start date for the fall semester.
The faculty, staff and students of Tulane University, especially in our medical and public health schools, have proven to be an extraordinary group who have not only conducted themselves with patience and decorum but have reached out to others in acts of exemplary valor in situations small and large.
Tulane University is a great institution with loyal students, faculty, staff and alumni. We will recover from this event and be stronger because of it. I will be in touch as we know more and the situation develops.
<p>This evening's post from Scott Cowen raises my spirits substantially. S' online Tulane friends (sophomores?) have in some cases been scrambling to enroll at their local state U's and, he reports, not having good luck. I think he felt he, too, should be scrambling. We have told him that a gap semester is not a terrible thing and that Tulane will be providing options - although we know not what if they can't provide a fall semester on campus. </p>
<p>S has also said he would be interested in helping in the re-building of New Orleans. I am heartened.</p>
<p>LakeWashington - I have recently learned that an acquaintance's S had just started at Loyola. I have emailed them sharing what I know and hope to hear back and will report on what I learn from them</p>
<p>I just spoke to the University of Ca in our town and they are willing to look into admitting local students if they act quickly. D did apply senior yr and was offered admission. The dean of admissions was helpful and said pending review of D's senior yr grades and a letter regarding Tulane they would probably enroll her if she acts quickly and they have a few dorm offerings. Or if she is not ready to give up on Tulane they have extension courses.
I am considering calling her 2nd choice school tomorrow and seeing what they might offer.
So hard to decide what is the right decision. and especially hard to do it that such short notice.</p>
<p>Pokey,
S was admitted over the phone today to Oglethorpe. While he really doesn't have his heart in it, he's willing to concede that taking a couple of basic classes could be a good idea.</p>
<p>We're supposed to contact the Financial Aid office tomorrow. So I don't yet really know what kind of tuition relief, if any, they'll provide. It's not a cheap school. However, since classes just started today, he'd be on track. I suspect he could be in class as early as Friday.</p>
<p>He doesn't want to go full time anywhere but Tulane so as soon as they make decisions regarding a start date, we'll be on our way to NO. And maybe sooner than that, if there are volunteer opportunities offered through the school. If that means we give up the tuition sunk at Oglethorpe, then so be it. Not made of money, but we'll figure it out.</p>
<p>I will say that the latest bulletin posted by Mr. Cowen DOES make us all feel more hopeful.</p>
<p>PS I don't know if this matters, but S did apply and was accepted to UGA previously. As a matter of fact, he very nearly went there.</p>
<p>D told me on the phone today that she had heard Vandy administration was meeting tonight to develop a plan for Tulane students. Many thoughts and prayers headed towards all those affected by this disaster.</p>
<p>S and I just chatted for a quick minute. I told him of Scott Cowen's report that the dorms/possessions appear secure and intact. But, I could really see the internal <em>smile</em> in his eyes when I told him of schools like Rice, Rutgers and others offering a place to Tulane students for this semester, if needed. For the moment, he is returning to his summer job (making and scooping ice cream :D) and I know his boss is happy to have him around for the Labor Day weekend.</p>
<p>But what he is really looking forward to is moving forward. Today's infromation has given him, and me, hope.</p>
<p>Syracuse University just announced, if you go on their web site at <a href="http://www.syr.edu%5B/url%5D">www.syr.edu</a>, that students can enroll at Syracuse for FREE during this semester. In addition, the first 15 kids that take them up on offer, will get free room and board too! Check out the news on their web site.</p>
<p>The outpouring from these universities - and surely we are seeing only the tip of the iceberg here - is so tremendously heartening. We, as a family, can wait and see what Tulane presents to us as options. But I know that others do not feel they can wait and have serious worries in the financial realm. I am so, so heartened to see what Syracuse is doing. Imagine the importance of this option for upperclassmen feeling an urgent need not to lose this semester. Not to mention the importance of their offering FREE tuition, even room and board for a few. </p>
<p>Thank you taxguy for that link. How DO you find such things? Well, no matter, thanks for finding and sharing. CC and its members are a wonderful life line.</p>
<p>I don't mean to be a kill joy, but even if the Tulane campus weathered the storm the rest of the city is under water. These students can not go back into the city for a long time. I was thinking if they could get power and water to the campus and it was dry, the dorms would be a good place for those left homeless. I think many students are making alternative plans whereas those left homeless don't have any options.</p>
<p>I don't think that Tulane is going to be back on it's feet for years to come. Where are you making a donation to, to the school itself or to New Orleans. I am very disheartened with the way Scott Cowen is handling this whole situation. Loyola has already cancelled the semester and has placed many of their students at other schools. Tulane has done nothing for us so far except cash our tuition check.</p>