Two years and a day after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the storm's devastating wake still weighs heavily on the minds of several University students and faculty members.
Fourth-year College student Lauren Tilton, whose family lives in New Orleans, experienced the devastation firsthand and said the aftermath of Katrina still presents her and her family with several difficulties.
"It's been hard because many of my friends haven't moved back to the city," Tilton said. "When I go back home, there are not as many people I can visit."
Tilton also said the reconstruction process has posed its share of trying problems. The first floor of her family's home was gutted in 2005, and, according to Tilton, she and her family have been living on the second level and just recently had new floors installed.
The University community has been a source of support throughout the recovery process, Tilton noted.
"In general, the students from the area have sought each other out and helped each other," she said. "It's a home away from home, a community that gets together and keeps each other informed."
Dean of Admissions John Blackburn said he also remembers the generous outpouring of support shown by University students that aided "temporary" students in their transitions to the University.
Immediately after the breadth of Katrina's destruction became apparent, the University began admitting students from Virginia who attended schools in affected areas.
Blackburn said he vividly recalls the process of admitting these students following the storm, noting the quick work that was involved as he and his collegues worked together and spoke with interested students.
"We interviewed them over the phone, and then the deans wrote up summaries and gave them to me," Blackburn said. "I would say yes or no, and then we would call back."
Blackburn said over 140 students then attending colleges and universities in the Gulf Coast area were allowed to attend the University. He did add, however, that the University required all of these students to return to their original schools if their home university re-opened.
"For some, it was painful," Blackburn said. "But we didn't want to steal students; many of the schools were already facing bankruptcy at the time."
Still, some students who temporarily attended the University eventually transferred permanently after returning to New Orleans.
Third-year Engineering student Jason Yates said he was one of the few students who chose to return to the University. According to Yates, his choice was almost unavoidable.
"Tulane [University] didn't have my major anymore," Yates said. "And I didn't want to go to a third school."
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