TEMS and the Tulane Response

Parents Forum
1

<p>I want to tell all you Tulane Parents and Prospective Tulane Parents of my experience in the past 24 hours. As all of you know by now, my son and many members of the Tulane Emergency Medical Service (TEMS), evacuated with the Tulane students and staff to Jackson. Ms. Once the storm passed, the TEMS team went to Baton Rouge, where they have been working under the direction of FEMA, to triage and transport medical evacuees as they are flown into Baton Rouge.</p>

<pre><code>The TEMS kids all stayed in Baton Rouge awaiting word from the Tulane administration as to what the Fall term would look like. When it was announced that the Fall semester on campus would not go forward, and that all students would have to avail themselves of opportunities at “host” schools for the term, my son and the other TEMS kids asked me to see what I could do to try and keep them together. And so I did.

Last night I received a call from a VERY high ranking Tulane administrator. I will not reveal the name, but this person works shoulder-to-shoulder with President Cowen. And this is the university’s response to the TEMS kids:

1) The administration is VERY aware of the incredible work these kids have been doing in Baton Rouge and support them in their efforts 100%, and to that end every TEMS member who wants to stay in Baton Rouge and continue the work they are doing, may do so;

2) For those TEMS kids who do choose to stay and work in Baton Rogue, there is NO risk to any scholarships being lost due to not being “enrolled” in school;

3) In fact, an effort is being made to insure that those TEMS kids who do stay in Baton Rouge working in relief efforts, will get credit hours in some manner for their work.

4) The TEMS kids are currently being housed in LSU student housing, but were placed there by FEMA. I will be contacting LSU to see about making those accommodations available for the entire term. If not, there are a number of doctors in the Baton Rouge area that will take them in.

5) Each TEMS member has to make up their own mind as to whether or not to stay, as each member’s academic need is different because the TEMS membership includes seniors, juniors and sophomores. Therefore, there cannot be a “one-size fits all” solution. I will contact LSU on behalf of my son, and any other TEMS members that is staying, to try and determine availability of necessary courses.

My son informed me this morning that he IS STAYING. My wife and I could not be prouder of our son, or more supportive of his decision. Nor could we be more proud of the Tulane administration’s response. I have been personally assured, again from the highest levels, that they view the work that these TEMS kids have been doing as the highest form of service a Tulanian can give in this time need. I will also convey to all of you that in my lengthy conversation with the Tulane administrator, it was repeatedly stated that the accommodations being made for all Tulane students is intended for the FALL SEMESTER ONLY. At this point, and even with the greater information now known about the scope of the disaster, there is still the belief that the kids can be back on campus this Spring. How realistic this is I cannot say, but that at least is the mind set.

I have been given permission from the CC administration to break a long-standing rule due to the EXCEPTIONAL circumstances that Katrina has brought, and give contact information for those who would like to directly donate monies to the TEMS relief efforts. That information is as follows:
</code></pre>

<p>Tulane Emergency Medical Service (T.E.M.S.)
c/o Chase Bank
Actt: # 699 498127
Routing # 065 400 137
Nation Bank by Mail
KY1-0900, Chase
P.O. Box 36520
Louisville, KY 40233</p>

<p>When the TEMS kids have an address, I will pass that information on as well, so that all of you “bakers” in the crowd can send along the treats that our kids all love. Also, my email is available for all and I will forward on any and all good wishes to the TEMS kids that you would like delivered.</p>

<pre><code>Finally, I would just like to publicly thank all of you who have contacted me and offered help, or regards to my son. It means so much to me that you have taken the time to do so.
</code></pre>

<p>CD (Al)</p>

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<p>Kudos to all involved with this! The kids for being so dedicated, the ground troops at FEMA for letting them go to work, the various college administrators for being fast-acting and flexible, and ConcernedDad for helping coordinate and keep communications flowing. I'm not a Tulane parent or even a potential one, but a former resident of New Orleans (with a new college freshman) who started looking in on the Tulane threads for news and personal stories. It's been amazing to watch all this unfold.</p>

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<p>Dear Al,</p>

<p>This is just a phenomenal response by your son and by the Tulane Administration. What an amazing degree of empathy for their needs and gratitude for their offers of service. This heartens me more than I can tell you, to see the very best offered, by the administration and by the students, in the midst of a dark time. My prayers go on to them, and I will gladly send homemade cookies if you wish to PM me with addresses when they are a bit more settled and sure where they are staying. Blessings to you Tulane parents, also, as this new future begins.</p>

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<p>CD/Al-
You should be so proud of your son and his friends/colleagues. It takes a special person to do what he is doing. Kudos, and prayers, to the entire Tulane staff as well. While I am proud of my s's work in the shelters in Houston, he is still able to live in his house and attend class. His efforts pale in comparison to those of your son and his associates.</p>

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<p>So very wonderful to hear that! That should be a great experience for your son - and your whole family must be so proud of him. :)</p>

<p>These stories make for a wonderful antidote to the news - snipers, looters, death, disease. Thank you for posting. :)</p>

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<p>Proud indeed. Thanks Aries.</p>