Return to New Orleans and Tulane (long)

Parent Cafe
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<p>I have been asked to report in. So, herewith in two parts:</p>

<p>I have to imagine that every return to New Orleans is a very personal journey, colored by the depth of each individual’s ties to the city. Our ties are neither long nor deep – we make neither our home nor our livelihood here. Yet, even as nothing other than a “Tulane parent,” the return has been full of emotion for me.</p>

<p>First, the physical place. What I have seen thus far has been surprisingly better than I expected. I compare what I have seen in Uptown and Garden District, New Orleans to the damage we experienced in Maine several years ago with a devastating Ice Storm. Damage. Serious damage. But not a city brought to its knees. I see many, many houses undergoing renovation, but the feeling is of a somewhat-more-than-usual spate of renovation activity; not one of whole blocks or neighborhoods rising from the ashes. The beautiful homes and indigenous turn-of-the-century and Craftsman era architecture are intact. St. Charles Avenue remains the grand, live-oak canopied boulevard it always was – albeit with a mildly unkempt air. Despite what I had been told to expect, I found streetlamps lit, traffic lights functioning, with the random and occasional tree down or lightpost battered and bent, and the streetcars not yet back.</p>

<p>I emphasize that this is what I have seen thus far. Tulane’s President, Scott Cowen, encouraged us to take advantage of the special City Tours for parents, which I did. He wanted us to see “the other New Orleans,” the devastation. We did not. We saw some neighborhoods with a more abandoned air, with less ongoing renovation, but, again, no scenes of utter devastation. Tomorrow and Sunday, I plan to venture out on my own to Lakeview/Gentilly/Ninth Ward with the aim of finding that “other New Orleans” and seeing what Katrina really hath wrought.</p>

<p>The people. Again, I did not find the advance warnings to be true – “you will not see any people of color,” “there are no women there.” Not true. I can’t speak to the numbers or statistics pre-and post-, but I can tell you that, to the outside observer (which, after all, I am) there are not entirely missing cohorts. What is odd is what you cannot tell about the people – how many houses are empty, how many are again someone’s home. The physical condition is not the clue – a home in perfect condition may or may not have occupants who have returned. Similarly, the physical condition of a store, restaurant, or commercial building is not an adequate clue to whether it has returned to life. I see many, many apparently mint condition buildings, but the store or restaurant is not open – whether due to invisible damage, inability to staff the business due to lack of population in the city, or lack of customers. Other buildings are boarded up and appear devastated and deserted, but in fact are open. People who are staying in the French Quarter report the inability to find anyplace open for breakfast. I have abandoned one Internet source of what is open since the first restaurant I tried was closed. Another site seems accurate. School children are here – at least at some schools – and I am heartened to report that, to outside appearances, children are able to be children. Playgrounds were alive with jump ropes, hula hoops, running and squeals. But adult conversations are dominated by discussions of Katrina’s aftermath – decisions to rebuild or not, evacuation stories, and always, the levees.</p>

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<p>And, then, Tulane. Even as a Tulane Engineering parent, victim of Katrina’s Late Hit when Tulane announced phase-out of several Engineering programs, I have to tell you how moving and uplifting the Opening Convocation was. Only in New Orleans. The processional and recessional were nothing sober or academic; but rather, the traditional New Orleans Jazz Funeral procession, starting with the dissonant funeral dirge and erupting into the celebratory Second Line complete with the unbelievable dancing of the Grand Marshal (I wish I knew how to link a photo). President Cowen’s entrance set off a prolonged standing ovation which even we disheartened Engineering families could understand. The excitement was palpable.</p>

<p>The physical campus retains its integrity and beauty. There remains some “touch up” reconstruction going on, along with the near constant construction of new buildings we seemed to find at every campus we toured last year. I believe I saw the arrival of some modular housing (for displaced faculty and staff etc), but am not sure any is in place yet. Or it may be further back on the campus, where I have not wandered. DS’ room and belongings were intact and unharmed; not even the faintest whiff of moisture. The first floor has been gutted and rebuilt but the skuzzy dorm he chose (because it is the Honors dorm) is still skuzzy. On the other hand, the newest Residence – which I visited with a new friend, and which was also rebuilt on the 1st floor – qualifies in spades for the “Dorms are like palaces” designation of Princeton Review.</p>

<p>Orientation for Engineering students is what can only be called schizophrenic: on the one hand, the normal welcoming, advising, orienting; on the other hand, answering questions about “what’s left, how will the remaining majors be impacted, what are our options, what kind of transfer help will we get.” From everything we heard today at a special Engineering Open Forum, I believe the Engineering Department, where so many faculty are themselves victims of the phase-outs, is going to come through for our kids. The Dean has been actively communicating with Engineering Deans around the country about transfer possibilities, there is a new staff person in the Department charged with transfer guidance. So, we will chart our courses for possible transfers, suffer the transfer application process, but may reap the benefit from some institutional assistance.</p>

<p>My own son is, by my observation after two days, feeling pretty detached – certainly from the Engineering Department which is supposed to be “his,” and possibly from Tulane. I think he is feeling like he is in his second semester as a Visiting Student somewhere. This is to be expected. I have no doubt he will have a successful semester academically. I think and hope he will have fun. Whether he will have the full “once in a lifetime experience” of helping to rebuild a great city or will just not have the heart for it, I don’t know. But whatever happens in that regard is ok.</p>

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<p>I heard several students speak on Morning edition this morning about their resolve to come back to Tulane after Scott Cowens moving speech.
It is very heartening to hear the determination in the voices of those who want to rebuild.
I was looking for a way to donate to Tulane and was hoping that there was a scholarship fund in the name of one of my Ds schoolmates who died there in 2003. There is a scholarship at his high school, but I suppose I could just give money in his name.
But anyway thanks for sharing your thoughts on the reentry of the students at the university.</p>

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<p>I too heard the account on Morning Edition. Jmmom’s account does much to round out the picture. Thanks so much for posting your thoughtful account.
I didn’t know that your s was actually returning there this semester- I had thought that the closing of the eng. school had meant that they wouldn’t be back at all. I’m glad to hear that they’re providing some transfer guidance.<br>
Looking forward to hearing more and to some good transfer news later this spring.</p>

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<p>jmmom…thanks so much for giving us your window on this return to Tulane. We all wish your son a boost in resilience as he sorts out the rest of this disrupted and historic event year…keep us posted please. You must be proud of the maturity he has displayed thus far.</p>

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<p>jmmom:
Will your son be at Tulane this spring in engineering? Is the program being phased out for next year? Sorry, I’m sort of confused.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for this first-hand report. I have some young friends here in Dallas who just returned to Tulane (1 senior, 1 freshman) and I have been worried.</p>

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<p>Weenie, the engineering school will continue to graduate juniors and seniors and will end in 2007. The sophomores, which my son is one, will have the option to finish at UNO and have their degrees say Tulane in 2008. UNO, however, does not offer Computer Engineering, so my son has ended his academic career at Tulane with a transfer to his host school. It has been a very emotional year for engineering students at Tulane. First, the hurricane. Then the restructuring. </p>

<p>I’m glad to hear NOLA is on the rebound. Folks down there have been dealt the worst kind of blow. It just goes to show the kind of resolve it takes to rebuild when help is slow in coming.</p>

<p>Jmmom, I so sympathize with the situation your son is in. My son at least got a year in with Tulane without the inevitable decision to switch majors or transfer hanging over his head. I so hope that his semester at Tulane will be a good one. I certainly understand how he could feel detached. Hopefully this is just a temporary situation. My son treasures the friends he made his freshman year and is planning a trip to NOLA during spring break to visit.</p>

<p>DS is adjusting, but honestly, after the hurricane, it was like worrying about a sick friend. After the reorganization, it was like the friend died. However, there’s always a silver lining. His new school is expanding and has a commitment to engineering, so the environment is good. </p>

<p>Best of luck to everyone returning to NOLA, no matter which school. I wish my son could have continued, but it just wasn’t to be.</p>

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<p>jmmom there’s an article in today’s NY Times about engineering students from Tulane trying to save the program. I’ll try to find the online link.</p>

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<p>alongfortheride:
Thanks for the info. That is really a mess. I’m glad that your son found someplace to finish his schooling, hopefully he’ll be happy there. I feel bad for all the people down there! I think they’re feeling pretty forgotten.</p>

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<p>Jmmom-thanks for keeping us posted. My housecleaner is from Mexico. She was telling me in her broken English about her cousin and with my poor spanish I am not sure I got the whole story right. Her cousin and some other friends from her hometown have gotten jobs in New Orleans. It sounded like a few actually working on the campus. Her cousin’s wife has joined him and is now working as a housekeeper in a large hotel where she is provided housing. My housekeeper was saying that she felt post Katrina there will be more Hispanics in New Orleans that they felt there would be good job opportunities. She said that her cousins children were with a grandparent in Texas since there was no schools.
Are the schools you’ve seen open public?
Have a safe trip home and keep us posted</p>

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<p>Andi, is this the article?</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/14/national/nationalspecial/14tulane.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/14/national/nationalspecial/14tulane.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Today I visited Lakeview, the “middle class” neighborhood of New Orleans which experienced much devastation. I will post more thoroughly after I visit the Lower Ninth Ward tomorrow. But I can tell you this. It is beyond sad. And it is very different from the parts of New Orleans I posted on yesterday.</p>

<p>mom60 - interesting qx re will there be more Hispanics? I’ve never thought of NOLA as having much Hispanic population, but I am actually ignorant on the subject (maybe cangel, tabbyzmom etc. will post). But I have notice this trip a number of Hispanic/English signs, announcements etc. I think the kids in school I have seen were all private. The statistic Scott Cowen gave today is that 12000 of 60000+ public school students are now back. 1000 of those are in a charter school which Tulane, itself, made happen for children of its own faculty and staff, those of Dillard, Xavier and Loyola and for other Uptown neighborhood folks who could/would come back if the school were there (the breakdown for this school is ~600 University-related kids,~400 neighborhood kids). I believe the lack of schools is a big reason some neighborhoods I saw today are ghost-towns.</p>

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<p>jmmom – I can’t figure you whether you are either:</p>

<p>1.) a candidate for sainthood based on your situation and continuted support of Tulane or
2.) a paid ■■■■■ for Tulane. </p>

<p>Which one is it?</p>

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<p>Candidate for sainthood and I hope you will be there at St. Peter’s gate when I show up ;).</p>

<p>Not a paid ■■■■■ for Tulane at all. I have cried real tears, suffered ridiculous anxiety, wished it weren’t so. I know that anger is worthless and I understand that tough decisions have victims. We happen to be among them. But, I have to tell you that I am mourning the loss of the Tulane-New Orleans experience for my son. Tulane’s Engineering Department showed me, during this week, exactly why he chose it in the first place and why I loved it, on his behalf. I feel as though I would follow these men (they happen to be almost all men) to the ends of the earth (and, perhaps DS will do so when he and they transfer). I am not able to be quite so enthusiastic about Tulane in general, because of the pain and because I am not objective. But everything I saw was good or great. If my son were to decide to change majors, rather than changing schools at the end of this term, I would experience a good measure of joy. No one should hesitate to send their sons or daughters to Tulane, imo based on all I have seen. It is an exciting place. It is a beautiful place. It is a safe place. It is not a place for electrical, computer, civil or mechanical engineers.</p>

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<p>Jmmom, I imagine your son is feeling a little shell shocked, and perhaps out of reality. Perhaps when orientation is over, he will begin to feel more like a Tulane student. At least it sounds as if they are working hard to help the engineers find their way.</p>

<p>I’ve heard some discussion about the Hispanic pop increase. Hispanics are by far the fastest growing group in the South, and the pop is growing all over the South, urban and rural, - the very rural, predominantly white, aging county that I am originally from, last place you would expect anyone of any ethnicity move into, has an expanding Hispanic population. Much of the hurricane clean-up work and reconstruction is done by Hispanic (I presume, mostly immigrant, ?illegal) laborers. I don’t know any other way to say it that won’t sound improper or racist, but these laborers work very hard, and do work that often native born Americans won’t touch. A number of those laborers end up staying, and settling their families. This happened after Ivan, although my area already had, as I said a significant Hispanic population that began with migrant farm workers one county over. I would expect that NOLA will have the same increase in Hispanic pop.</p>

<p>Tulane, St. Charles and the French Quarter are high ground - that’s why all those old houses are there - folks back when that was settled got flooded every year or two. What you are seeing is “hurricane damage”, and dry side damage at that. The neighborhoods that are so devastated are mostly black and poor, or wealthy (lake views).
Jmmom, did you go west on I-10 at all, did you get to Metairie, how did the cemetary fair? I heard the Veterans’ Higheay area is OK, although it took a long time to getthe streetlights up. Someone, who I don’t completely believe, said many of the traffic signals were looted.</p>

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<p>jmmom~</p>

<p>Thank you so much for this insightful and very poignant post about your son’s return to Tulane. Both you and he have shown untold grace in the face of unexpected challenge. I wish your son the very best for a successful and gratifying spring semester at school, and I will be anxiously awaiting news of his plans for next year. love, ~berurah</p>

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<p>Thank you so much, berurah. So very much appreciated.</p>

<p>cangel, I was in Metairie shopping today. The BB&Beyond and Target which we shopped at so happily last August, which you then saw blown open and being looted after Katrina on CNN etc. are up and running and a true beehive of activity. Parking spaces are harder to get than on the Saturday before Xmas. But everyone is patient. Not all businesses along that Clearview/Veterans Blvd. are back on line, but many are. So many people shopping, shopping, shopping. I had no way to tell whether it was due to re-stocking after losing everything, doing normal shopping, back-to-school for the college kids, or (more likely?) whether these stores wereso busy because other outlets are not open. Whatever - other than crowded parking lot, this was another venue where you would never know what happened here. I’m not familiar with the cemetery you mention. I’ve seen several driving by and one within the city (St. Louis?) was on our tour. There was a high water mark we could see at that cemetery; I forget how high (18"? 3’?). It was fine now.</p>

<p>BTW, in the areas which are alive and running, the most common signs one sees are banners or hand-lettered signs: Now Open, Opening Soon and (the very most common) NOW HIRING.</p>

<p>and, cangel, (and I admit this is the most important part to me, personally) I think you may be right that DS will feel less detached after Orientation. I thought I heard it in his voice in a brief phone call after his first Engineering-specific orientation session this morning. These guys are good. They are spending as much energy and effort on the displaced kids as the retained-major kids. No technique I used could get DS to agree to attend tomorrow’s invitation-only Engineering Scholar Reception (he is one of them - the Distinguished Scholar and Deans Honor merit $ kids). I wanted him there because I am a Proud Mama. No dice. Today, I thought to start one last-ditch effort. No need: “Yeah, I think he wants us there.” That Dean had made them feel wanted, necessary … whatever. Made my day.</p>

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<p>It sounds like the Dean of Engineering is a good guy who really has the students best interest at heart. He has a lot on his plate. Near the top will be keeping his faculty. And I am sure his job is not what he signed on for either.
Jmmom- according to my housecleaner there seems to be many jobs for those willing to work hard and for little pay. I would venture that some of her relatives are illegal.
Last night, Friday on the Newshour on PBS they aired a piece on all the Katrina victims still living in New Orleans motels and hotels. Many of the hotels and motels had begun taking reservations from the public and now find themselves in a tough bind with overbooking. It reminds us again how many people are still displaced. They interviewed some sweet older women who have a great attitude while faced with an uncertain future. They also interviewed a manager of the Quality Inn who is living with family members in 1 room of the motel. He also had the diifficult task of trying to do his job but also deal with some Katrina victims who were not good tenants.
Did you heard of any families who were not able to get their motel rooms that they had reserved?</p>

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<p>alongfortheride Yes. Thanks so much. I had to go out for the day and wasn’t able to look it up online- I read the paper version.</p>

<p>andi</p>