Classes will resume Wednesday as Nicholls makes efforts to restart its normal operations following Hurricane Katrina. Betsy Cheramie Ayo Hall and Shaver and Stopher gymnasiums are still housing more than 1,400 evacuees, which will result in parking and classroom location changes. The parking lot to the side of Talbot Hall and adjacent to the tennis courts will be closed, as will sections of the parking lots by the stadium and behind the family and consumer sciences building. These areas house equipment and food and supply distribution tents for evacuees.
Eugene Dial, vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, said the University is not aware of when the evacuees will be leaving the campus and hopes students will volunteer at the evacuation centers in their spare time.
“Most of these evacuees want to go home as soon as they can and will leave at that time,” Dial said. “Most of the people in the shelters are families and are just glad to be out of danger and appreciative of the community’s help.”
In the meantime, the University has requested for the relaxation of no-parking zones on the streets between Bayou Lane and Audubon Drive and along Bowie Road. Students will not be ticketed for parking there as long as they do not block the streets, Dial said. The University will also stop reserving parking spots for special events at this time.
Students are asked to enter campus from Audubon Drive or the rear of the University through Bowie Road. Students will be able to enter Acadia Drive to park in the area across from Powell-White halls. However, parts of Acadia Drive will be blocked off next to the parking area that is being used to distribute supplies to evacuees. Those parking in the spots across from Powell-White halls will exit the campus through the back of the lot, past the Pupil Appraisal Center onto Bowie Road.
Classes will not be held in Betsy Cheramie Ayo Hall or Shaver and Stopher gymnasiums. Classroom changes will be posted as available on the Nicholls website. Someone will also be at the entrances of these buildings to direct students to the new location of their classes.
“This is why we are starting classes Wednesday and not next Monday,” Dial said. “It will sort of be like the first day of class again. We realize not every student will be able to make it back to campus Wednesday but hope most will. We are urging faculty to work with students who have to miss class this week.”
Nicholls students and faculty are also asked to wear their Colonel Card on a clip or lanyard, so that University Police and National Guard can distinguish among Nicholls students and faculty, evacuees and outsiders.
“There have been no arrests and not one problem with evacuees,” Dial said. “The National Guard presence sends a signal that the campus is taking the steps to be as safe as possible. We can never guarantee safety but are doing what can reasonably be done to make the campus as safe as possible.”
Dial said the University has not decided whether days will be added to the academic calendar to make up for the missed days. Carroll Falcon, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will discuss with the faculty the best approach to the situation. Dial said he is not sure the days will have to be made up since only three Tuesday/Thursday and three Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes were missed.
Students enrolled at a Gulf Coast university unable to offer classes can enroll at Nicholls. Registration has been extended until Sept. 19. According to Dial, if students have paid tuition at another state university, they will not have to pay tuition at Nicholls. Approximately 150 students have registered from other institutions as of Sunday.
Space in residence halls is also available for students and faculty who have been displaced due to the storm. However, Dial said space has not been opened to displaced families of students and faculty in the residence halls yet.
“Our initial response has been to accommodate our students,” Dial said. “We are also housing the National Guard and FEMA officials. However, we will do everything we can to help their families find housing.”
Additionally, Nicholls is in need of volunteers, as most current volunteers return to work and school. Volunteers are asked to report to the Century Room in the stadium to be routed to where assistance is needed.
“We hope students have taken this time off to help their families but hope that those who can help have done so or will so,” Dial said. “We don’t want students missing class to volunteer, but there are numerous opportunities to volunteer in the Nicholls shelters or shelters in St. Mary, Assumption and Terrebonne parishes. This area was really blessed, and the Nicholls faculty, staff and volunteers have done all we can do to make this as positive an experience as we can for evacuees coming to campus.”
