Lot happening today!

Tulane announced its plans for the Spring, which includes a Lagniappe semester in May/June which if you paid full-time fall and spring you get to go for FREE!

And also the city announced that many zip codes will open to residents on Friday. I am planning on going this weekend to clean my house and see about getting blue-roofed by the Corps of Engineers.

Oh yeah and I almost forgot, the B-School is beginning to implement new curriculum for the first year MBAs. This will draw from what we presented this past January to the faculty and administration. What Bill basically told me was that they saw this as an opportunity to go ahead and begin the transistion. Check out the Freeman site for details.

Hope all is well for everyone. Things slowly begin to turn towards normal...at least it doesn't feel like we are streaming opposite of normal any longer.

Kevin

Word Verification

I turned on word verification again. Not a lot of people post anyway and mostly the site just gets spammed, so it shouldn't be a problem.

The CMC Lives!

Below is an email sent out by the director Jody Hestand. Please read it as it has important information, to dos and contact info included: (I am going to edit out the phone numbers, so email me if you need them.)

What an unexpected beginning to your final year as an MBA! I hope everyone is safe and handling the challenges Katrina has brought to us in as best as manner as possible. The CMC staff is all accounted for and safe, although like most of you, we are located in many places throughout the country. We all miss New Orleans!

In spite of the challenges of location and disruptions, the Freeman School of Business wants to ensure your career success. To facilitate that, we will be working with each of you individually to find out your particular career plans, recruiting needs, timelines, and geographic preferences. I know we had much of that information prior to your summer, but with most of our
records still in N.O. and many of your plans altered, we need to hear from you again.

We need you to login to eRecruiting at http://www.erecruiting.com and update your resumes with current contact information. We have a number of recruiters asking to contact you for positions and interviews, but we need to have accurate information before we refer you to them. If you have already accepted a job offer, please let us know that as well. You can reach me by email at jshestand@hotmail.com or call me at 504-XXX-XXXX (cell). You may leave a message for me at 812-XXX-XXXX if you are having trouble getting through to my cell phone, although it seems cell service has greatly improved. Please check in with us as soon as possible, so we can get involved in your career search now. We don't want you to miss out on good opportunities, just because of the disruption of Katrina. All information I receive will be shared with Gaynor Jones at gaynor_j@bellsouth.net . She or I one will be responding to you to get the personalized services you need.

If you have contact with other Freeman students, please pass this information along to them as well. We are emailing them directly as well, but some of you may have more up-to-date information than we do at this point.

I regret that we aren't able to meet in person at this time, but Gaynor will be in attendance at the NSHMBA conference in Anaheim, CA. Please let us know if you plan on attending that event or the NBMBAA conference, moved to San Diego, on October 13 & 14. There is also the Consortium event in Atlanta that is still being finalized as well. If you are interested, let us know and we can get more information to you.

We have been in contact with the speakers for the career workshops we had arranged for the fall semester and most will be able to join us in the spring semester. These will cover negotiations, case interviewing, and networking beyond the job interview. It is going to be a very compressed schedule for the spring to get everything done, but I'm confident you'll handle it successfully as always.

While Katrina was not in our plans, I am confident we can adapt and continue to work together for your career success. Please let us know what we can best do for you. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Jody Hestand
Director, Career Management Center
Freeman School of Business at Tulane University

Quick Update

Well first you may notice I got a little gadgety and sentimental today by adding Louis Armstrong’s "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans." I think we all are going through a little withdrawal these days.

Back to school topics...

For those of you attending SMU or nearby Dallas schools you had the opportunity to attend a Town Hall meeting with President Cowen. I have also contacted President Cowen to request a similar event here in Austin, as there are many of us here representing many of the schools and colleges at Tulane. Hopefully this will happen and I will keep you posted as to when or where. He did say he would do it time permitting.

Dean DeNisi also has made plans to visit Austin and we were to have had a meeting with him on Friday. Unfortunately those plans had to be changed due to Hurricane Rita. He will announce soon when we will be able to meet. If any of you have questions you would like asked, please let me know and I will relay them to him. Also, know that his email is on the Freeman site, so you can email him directly as well.

Hope everyone is still doing okay and I really feel for those in the Houston area that had to evacuate again, I hear traffic was even worse than it was for Katrina. Hopefully November 30th will arrive soon and we can put the 2005 Hurricane season behind us once and for all.

Take care,

Kevin

Official Word

Today Dean DeNisi posted a message updating everyone on the status of the university, the Freeman School and plans for the Spring semester. Please see his message and continue to follow the updates at http://www.freeman.tulane.edu/ . While this is the same ole address that we are used to using to access the Freeman School site, it is a temporary site similar to the one President Cowen is using to update the entire university's community.

All signs point to our return in the spring, which I am sure we are all looking forward to. I know I am.

I would like to start a list of where everyone is attending school this semester just so we can see the far reaches we have all spread out to.

Schools I know of so far:

LSU
Rice
UT Austin
SMU
Vanderbilt
Emory
Penn
Chicago
UC Davis
Boston University
Dartmouth
Houston

Let me know which ones I have missed.

Take Care,

Kevin

Meeting today with the Dean and Faculty

Just wanted to let you guys know I was able to meet with Dean DeNisi, some of the other Deans, faculty and graduate advisors today in Houston. The meeting, for me at least, was productive and very informative. One important thing I learned today is that President Cowen has eliminated all operating entities within the University and all policy must be approved by him and then travel back through the deans of the individual schools out to their respective constituents. I say this is important because I believe it is part of why information has been slow to get to us. President Cowen has made it very clear that no one is to release anything without his approval. While this may seem extreme, obviously we are in extreme times and he wants to ensure a consistent and correct version being released to everyone.

Issues I brought to the school’s attention focused primarily on communication with us and career services. Currently, it was has been determined that Prof Shaw has the most comprehensive list of Faculty, staff and students of the Freeman School. Dean DeNisi is going to work through Prof Shaw to get information to everyone regarding a “permanent” temporary website to release information to us. This should happen very soon. Alicia is in Memphis right now and has the ability to bring the freeman.tulane.edu page back up associated with a new ip address/server and we would then be able to access that site to get updates from the Dean. I brought up that there are now several sites that information is creeping through and that we need a central point to get the official information and not have to worry if it is rumor or not. As soon as this site is available I will post the link if you are not on Prof Shaw’s list. If you are not I strongly encourage everyone to contact her at pshaw@gmail.com to be added to the list.

Career Services is very high on their list of concerns and they are working hard to put in place a plan to address our needs in this area. One of the major issues here is that when the president eliminated all the divisions within the University, he also consolidated all operating budgets. This means that travel is difficult if not impossible, but they are doing what they can and looking for ways to be creative and get out to us as soon as possible. I can say as far as on going activity here is that Peggy Babin has been contacting recruiters and working with them to keep things moving forward and as so many people have been; they are being very flexible with her and wanting to work with us as much as possible.

I also brought up the international students because I know at at least one that had significant problems during the evacuation. Prof Hogg recommended that any international student that is having difficulties with visas or other documentation to contact the university’s information line at 866-502-7264. This line is answered Monday through Friday form 10 AM to 5 PM.

I would also recommend everyone get in contact with their advisor as soon as possible to discuss what courses you are taking this semester and where you are taking them. If you have questions about how to do this please let me know. This is not to alarm anyone that they may be doing something that will not count towards graduation, it is just so that they can keep track of your progress and better design the Spring with the faculty by knowing our needs.

On the same topic of academics, I will say this: The university and the business school are very committed to ensuring that each student graduate when he or she anticipated to graduate before Katrina struck. I don’t want to go into any detail of what was discussed because many decisions are not final, but I will say they are being very creative in looking at this and we will have an interesting spring starting in January. President Cowen and the Deans are working closely to make this happen. Again this is why it is important to communicate with your advisor as soon as possible so the school knows our needs.

Some other important steps are being taken as I type. The new server room downtown has been inspected and the servers are in good shape. The main problem right now is that there is no power for that building. Generators are being brought in and should have the system back up and running soon. This includes Student Records, which is the first priority and email, which is third I believe. So our Tulane accounts should be active soon, which will eliminate a lot of the communication issues, as they will then be able to email everyone.

The Business School buildings seem to have weathered the storm fairly well. GWH II did better than GWH I. GWH I had significant flooding in the first floor classrooms and much work will be needed before they are operational again. The water is being pumped out right now, but there is no electricity to dry them and mold has formed and even the brand new ceiling tiles will need to be replaced again. To give you an idea of how bad it was the podium in 131 was floating on its side. GWH II on the other hand suffered mostly window breaks and this was just to the outer panes of the windows. So much less time will be needed to get that building functional again. Water damage to that building was not discussed so I do not know if it was flooded or not, so lower lockers stay tuned.

I guess to close I would just like to say that like many of you I was very frustrated with the lack of communication from what seemed like the official means. Although, after this meeting I feel much better and see that everyone at the school is working very hard to not only make sure we can start in January, but organize and get us the answers and service we all desperately need and want right now. So keep checking www.freeman.tulane.com and of course www.tulane.edu for all the official information. Once I confirm the Freeman site is up I will post a link to it as well.

Take care,

Kevin

Finally the update with pictures

Okay I know I have slacked, but this whole unplanning and replanning your life in two weeks is draining. I know everyone is going through it too so I won't bore you with my details. Although the people at UT Austin have been extremely helpful and have done just about everything to get the others and me settled into our new city.

As I returned to Louisiana this sign never looked so good, unfortunately I knew I would not be in the state long.



After getting my pass into the city I had to access the city via River Road and ended up on St Charles. Here is what Tulane looked like on Sunday.



Here is the Ramada I stayed at in Diamondhead, MS. I had no idea that it was in this condition when I stopped. Amazing that the bar was open, still glad it was though.



Here are a couple of pictures of something many of you have waiting for you on your return, the rotten food that now inhabits your refrigerator.



It had liquefied and ran down to the floor.



Here are some local spots that may be familiar.

Kyoto - Sushi any one? Can you imagine their freezer!?



Le Crepe Nanou



The new Uptown Felix's, will this place ever open?



This is that building at Causeway and the I-10. The other side had much more damage, but there wasn't a good spot to stop and take pictures. Didn't want to look like a tourist.



Can't wait to get back and have a few with you guys at the Kingpin.



Well that is enough for now, most of the others are of the damage inside my apartment, the ceiling in the dining room came down and it looks like it rained in there. Lots of clean up to do.

I leave you with this in hopes of one day soon bananas will be able to dance with gorillas once again on Royal St.



Goodnight all, take care,

Kevin

Late but here is the first part of the story

Sorry this is so late, but I’ve had some issues with Word tonight.

Okay, here is the story, but the pictures will come tomorrow. It is too late to try to figure out how to post them tonight.

I left Jacksonville way too late on Saturday, mainly because I was driving around looking for a generator. Why you may ask, well there was still a crazy idea in my head that I would try to stay in New Orleans if I was able to get in. As if they would even let…

I made it to Diamondhead, MS around 1:00 AM and finally stopped. I wanted to stop before getting into Louisiana because I knew there would be little to nothing to stop and rest any further west. I should have stopped in Pensacola as I had planned, but I wasn’t tired when I passed through there and when I finally did start stopping all the rooms were full. The only one that really annoyed me was a hotel in Alabama just before Mississippi had a bunch of international media staying there. I thought how ridiculous that people that are put out from their home have no place to stay yet the foreign media have rooms. I wasn’t really thinking about myself, okay a little bit, but more so for those who lost everything on the gulf coast of MS. So I kept driving until I reached Diamondhead.

As I exited the I-10 I could see some lights off the road and headed in that direction. There were no streetlights and no traffic signals. I, of course, didn’t realize I was in one of the worst place to be destroyed by Katrina. I pulled into what I found out later to be a Ramada Inn. A group of National Guardsmen was guarding the place so I pulled up to them to find out if it was okay for me to rest there. They said it would be fine for me to’ rack out in your truck if you want.’ So I did. But I couldn’t get to sleep because of the music from the bar was keeping me up. Yes, the hotel bar was open, crazy huh? So I decided a few beers sounded about right and went inside. The bar had a bout 25 people who were mostly contractors or insurance workers. I had a couple of beers and then went back outside and went to sleep.

The next morning I awoke up to see that the hotel the had once been 2 stories high was now about one and a half. The top floor and been mostly blown away. The tops of trees were snapped off and many of the other buildings were destroyed. One of the amazing things was that you could actually see the footprint of the storm. Moving east to west you could see the change in wind. Further east the trees were blown to the north then west then finally south. The damage done certainly didn’t look like wind and water could have done it.

I continued west and found an open Waffle House in Slidell, the staff had special t-shirts printed that said Hurricane Response Team on the back. I then continued onto Baton Rouge then south to New Orleans. Signs indicated that I-55 was closed but as I went over it there was plenty of traffic going down. The whole area was teaming with electrical crew trucks, ambulances, police, recovery crews and military vehicles.

I was able to get a pass to get me into Orleans Parish, don’t ask me how. Let’s just say that some things in Louisiana will never change.
I hate to do this to you guys, but in true media fashion I will close here and tease you to come back tomorrow to hear about the city. And pictures too!

Take care,

Kevin

Lack of Updates

Sorry there hasn't been an update since Friday. I will give a more detailed update tomorrow, as I am exhausted. Since we have all been glued to the TV lately, I'll set up tomorrow's update with a teaser...

Arrived in Austin after completing about 4800 miles since leaving New Orleans, today's trip included a stop in New Orleans. Made it to my house and a few places nearby. Pictures and detail to come in tomorrow's update, stay tuned.

Good night every, after sleeping in the truck last night... the bed over there is calling me.

Good night and take care,

Kevin

On the road again...

Well tomorrow I continue my road trip. I am now off to Austin, Texas as it looks as though I will be attending UT Austin this fall. If anyone else is please let me know. At a minimum we can get together and at the most maybe room together to reduce expenses. I have no idea where I will end up, which reminds me I need to book a room. Hopefully, Austin is far enough away that there are rooms available.

Driving is getting really old at this point as I have driven over 3400 miles since leaving New Orleans and have countless more to go. I shouldn't complain though, as it only takes turning on the TV to see things could be much worse.

Oh another bit of good news happen today, I receive my first check from State Farm. If you have State Farm homeowners or renters insurance, I highly recommend moving forward with your claim. They are able to begin the payment process without even seeing your property. The money disbursed is for living expenses and clothing, although really they just give you a check and it can be used for anything. Mine is going to gas, clothes, food and rent in Austin I suppose.

I also hear about more and more people starting schools elsewhere, I really hope that everyone returns to Tulane. I know we will most likely lose some, but it will be a shame to lose even one.

I sure wish I could be at the Football game this weekend, that will be one great reunion for all those that can be there!

Take care and be safe!

Hope to see you all soon.

Kevin

Tonight's Chat with Dr. Cowen

Hopefully you were able to watch the chat with Dr. Cowen tonight. I will leave the link up because they are supposed to be held every Friday at 5:00 PM CST. Hopefully they will become more productive for students. Sorry about the editorial, but I guess I was expecting a little more. Many of the questions were directed to Alumni giving and prospective students. I did miss a little of it, but other than that the other major question was about email. While important I think many of us have figured out a way around the problem. For those that didn't see it, email should be back up in three weeks or so. I will post a link to the transcript when it is available.

One question that was asked I was also interested in, 'what about books we have already purchased at the bookstore, yet sit somewhere in New Orleans?' Cowen did not yet have an answer for that, hopefully we will be fully refunded as many of use will have to now either re-buy the books or purchase different ones for the classes we will take elsewhere. Someone else asked another question I wanted to ask too and it was regarding the outlook for re-opening school in the Spring and Cowen said he was positive we will be back in the Spring. A contractor has already been hired to began the repair of the Uptown Campus.

Some other questions I have are:

What about the health insurance we purchase through school and is it good at our new schools or cities of refuge?
How can students, who sit this term out, volunteer to help the rebuilding?
What about other fees: parking, activities, and gym?
Can we have a Wave Hello party upon our return? (Can't be serious all the time!)

I know I sent in more, but that is all I can remember for now. If you have others and can't participate, let me know and I will post them for you next week.

Take Care,

Kevin

Online Chat with President Cowen Tonight at 5 CST

Message from Dr. Cowen:


Dear Tulanians and friends,

As promised, we are introducing our first interactive communications opportunity this afternoon from 5 to 6 p.m. central. I will be answering questions in a live interactive chat room format. This technology has been generously donated to Tulane University by LiveWorld and we intend to make it a weekly event every Friday at 5 p.m. You may log in to the chat via the www.tulane.edu website. In fact, you may begin submitting questions prior to the forum. A written transcript of the chat will be posted to www.tulane.edu on Monday.

If the response to this interactive chat event is anything like your response to our asktu@tulane.edu email address, we will only able to answer a small number of your questions. Therefore, we will focus on answering the most general questions with wide applicability to the most people.

My next message will be posted on Monday evening unless circumstances warrant a communication before then. You should continue to monitor this website in the interim.

Scott Cowen

Documents Found!

Good news, after returning to Jacksonville I pulled out my iMac to search around to see if I had and of the files I needed. I found two that should be useful to just about everyone. I found the Master of Accounting Program Student Handbook, which includes course descriptions for all the electives offered at Freeman. I also found the schedule for Summer/Fall 2005. These should help you decide what classes fit best at your new institution. Hope this helps.

You will find the link to the files in the Links section, the second and third links from the top.

I will go search my laptop next as I didn't even think about the handbook and may have the MBA handbook on it.

Next stop Austin, Texas with hopefully a stop for clothes on he way through!

Take care,

Kevin

Things begin to settle down

Many of us have found schools for the fall semester and are busily getting to or settling into our new cities. I have heard of people attending schools in New York, Boston, Texas and California. Needless to say Katrina has spread us far and wide. I hope that we can all stay in touch as best we can and I hope that we all return to Tulane in January. I know many of our colleagues have not developed the love for Tulane that others have, namely the first year MBAs, but I hope that they all return to continue the great traditions at Tulane. We all will have stories to tell for generations and they are the class that was displaced by Katrina on their first day of class.

I do have some information today too. I have renters insurance with State Farm and started my claim today. The next step for me is to go to a local (anywhere) agent to find out if I qualify for up to $2500 in advance. This is to cover travel, housing and living expenses. So, I encourage anyone who has not spoken with his or her insurance company to do so promptly.

The other is I was given some more links and will add them to the links section. They are for the satellite pictures of the city and for estimated flood levels. Hope they help you determine any damage.

And I close with a little bit of good news, the iconic bar at Napoleon and Magazine, Ms Mae’s is open for business. So Uptown is coming back to life!

Options at other schools

I highly recommend people use the Yahoo! Group that Admissions is using. More and more good info comes out of there by the day. Lots of good questions are being asked and answered.

Last post for now, maybe more from NYC.

Kevin

Spam

Well I tried to not implement the word verification to post but we are starting to get spammed more each day. To help out though I made it where anyone can post, you no longer need to register at blogger.

Thanks and take care,

Kevin

For Faculty

Even though this site is mostly for students, faculty are scrambling too. Prof. Spindt received this email from Tom Cooley at NYU:

Dear Paul,

Just a note to let you know that NYU can accommodate a few visiting faculty from Tulane. Space is tight here but we can find you a spot if you need it.

Best regards,

Tom Cooley

International Students

I spoke with an amazing person today form Atlanta, she has been assisting one of our international classmates who evacuated to Atlanta. He is facing issues that others may be facing as well. In his rush to evacuate he left without identification and also left his visa in New Orleans. He is also in need of affordable travel to get to California to attend school there. Here is some information and I will post links under the links section.

The first is something that all students may be faced with, how to verify enrollment at Tulane. A website www.studentclearinghouse.org should be able to verify your enrollment, follow the instructions on the site. I haven't read the Katrina note that was recently posted, so fees may have been waived, but if not when I paid the fee to verify my enrollment it was small, $2.50 I think. Make sure you follow the student links.

The issue of identification and visas, if you are flying and in need of identification, hopefully you have something, anything with your picture, such as your student id. If you explain your situation, many should be understanding and allow you to use that information. Visas will be more difficult, please attempt to reach your consulate or embassy. I would suggest trying locations further away from New Orleans in an attempt to those places not being quite as busy. I have heard that the Houston offices are very busy.

Travel concerns are held by many of use. I have heard that AirTran is making a case by case review to accommodate travel for students. This includes lack of ID, visa and money exceptions. I doubt they will give away travel, but they are making arrangements for reduced fare tickets to get where you need to go. I am sure and hope that the other airlines will be doing the same. AirTran’s customer service number that they recommend for us to use is 1-866-247-2428.

Take Care,

Kevin

Each Passing Day.... Brings more good news.

I hope that all of you have been having the successes that I have been having. Even though I have driven over 2500 miles since we evacuated I have accomplished a lot. My dogs have a safe home in Boston, I have been accepted into a couple of schools and have heard from the schools at many levels.

I must stress that the school is still encouraging us all to find other institutions to continue the semester, but I have heard that they are establishing a center of operations in Houston and will be more and more functional each day. Does that mean classes will be offered there, that remains to be seen. One thing students may want to explore are the PMBA classes that are already scheduled in Houston to see if they meet any of your needs.

Dean DiNisi has been in contact with many universities around the country working with them to ensure our smooth transition into another school. Mignon has been in touch with many students and Beau Parent is working hard to keep the accounting students on track.

I am going to attempt to get in touch with Mignon today and see if there is something I can post online for everyone to help get you through these times, this would be for the MBAs primarily, but she also works closely with the accounting students as well.

Sorry I don't have more info about the MFin program, I will work on that too as time permits.

Next stop NYC!

Take care all,

Kevin

Accounting Memo now posted

The link is up and valid now. Look under links section for Deen Kemsly's Memo, click there, and download Word document. All the information is there for the Accounting students.

Take care,

Kevin

An email from a dear friend Camille Terk...

Hey everyone,
I felt like I needed to send an email to all my friends and their friends, in part to educate the US about New Orleans. The past week has not only been the worst week of my life, but it has also been filled with mis-information and mis-guided blame. So here it goes.

Over the past week, I have been asked countless times when I will start to look for a job in Houston. It seems that everyone I talk to assumes that there is nothing to go back for and that we might as well restart our lives somewhere else.

To me, this is a sign that people around the US just don't understand, or appreciate the New Orleans way of life. We love our city so much. It is like no other place in the world. Our city is not just special for its architecture, but for its people, food, culture, music and much more. All of this remains intact.

Yes, it will be extremely difficult and heart-breaking to return. But we will rebuild, no matter how long it takes.

Secondly, I have heard countless negative comments about our mayor. I can't express fully enough how much my friends and I support him 100%. Personally, I have been so proud this week. His 24 hour dedication to the city, his sweat, tears, anger, and commitment have earned him a place in my heart forever. I couldn't have asked for a better reaction or response from him to the situation. The problems with the evacuation and rescue efforts were not his fault. We have known about these issues since the 1930's. New Orleans has been in talks and has gone through simulations with the federal government for years and years now. The federal government and FEMA have been well aware of what would happen in a category 4 hurricane for decades. It is my understanding, in fact, that we didn't even have a plan to house people at the superdome until this administration. The people of New Orleans have been well-aware that the city did not have the means to do a mandatory evacuation. He did what he could. And he has my full support.

Third, the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, is such an asshole. I am appalled that he would suggest not rebuilding New Orleans. Would he have suggested not rebuilding Miami after Hurricane Andrew? or San Francisco after the last major earthquake? It is our home, and one of the last great cultural centers of the US. Please show your support by sending him letters and emails in any language that you choose.

Fourth, although we have some crazy people in New Orleans, the media has exaggerated the current situation. We have heard from countless people in New Orleans that people are banding together and working as one. Yes, there is some crime- looting, shooting, but it is not the norm. The norm is one of support and care.

Finally, to update everyone: as far as we know, our house has not been flooded at all. No water. No apparent damage to the structure from the street. As of 3 days ago, there had been no looting in our area. So, we are very fortunate. We are safe in my parent's home in Houston. We are slowly starting to breathe again, although we have all developed various maladies in response to the stress. Our new mantra has been "Every day that we wake up is a day closer to rebuilding New Orleans ."

Please spread the love and this email. I want people to understand the support we have for our city. We hope to host you in our homes again this upcoming Jazz Fest.


love,

Camille Terk

Well as I vented about accounting.

I received an email from Lauren Caplan, thank you Lauren, regarding the accounting program and the fall semester.

I have provided a link to the document under the links section. Please refer to it and contact Beau Parent with your plans.

Take care,

Kevin

Ok I have having trouble putting up the file, it will be up shortly.

Time for me to be selfish

Okay, most of you know I just completed the MBA program here at Freeman and had just begun, well almost just begun, the Master of Accounting program. I have seen the post that the first year MBA class may be moved to Houston and I think that is great.

BUT I also think that the one year programs Accounting and Finance should be moved to Houston as well. I have done some research on other schools and it is going to be difficult if not impossible to create a full time semester elsewhere. These programs are so compact and I would even say unique to Tulane that they must be moved as well.

Okay enough selfishness, and yes I realize that these issues are trivial compared to those left in NOLA and others living in shelters around the country. Trust me I know.

Take care,

Kevin

To School Officials

To any school administrator or official that may happen to read this...

I can't say for sure if you have or have not contacted any student government president, but I have spoken to two of them: Nick Bacque, President of GAPSA and Don Brown, President of GBC. Neither of them have received word from the school and are frustrated that when students contact them they have no information to give them.

I would like to thank the poster who informed us that the B-School is looking to move the first year class to Houston. Anything will help at this point.

If you need contact information for either Nick or Don please contact me at kevin.gremillion@gmail.com or text me at 504-390-6691.

Take Care,

Kevin

Jefferson Parish

For those of you that live in Jefferson Parish I wish you luck today for your safety and your property and belongings.

For twelve hours today JP will allow residents to enter. They must bring all supplies they may and will need for the length of their stay.

I also wanted to point you to another website www.entergy.com not to plug them or anything. It is just a site I get good news from each day. They post how many people have had their power restored. As of right now there have been over 571,000 customers restored with just over 519,000 to go.

Take care,

Kevin

Thoughts

Okay, I know I am posting a lot tonight, but I have been on the road for the last two days coming to Boston to drop off my dogs. That's another story for another time.

Anyway, the reason for this post is thoughts on problems we may have in trying to get started this semester at another university. Here is a list I have come up with so far (please add your own, because I am sure I am missing a lot):

Financial Aid Verification
Tutition payment verification
Transcripts
Health Insurance
Classes we enrolled in
How those classes relate back to courses at Freeman
Getting info back to Tulane for those to Graduate in the Spring
What about all those books we have already bought that lie neatly in New Orleans?

I am sure I could think of many but it is time for bed. Hopefully the school will find away to at least bring up TOUR and accounts receivable so we can get to some of this stuff, the others are questions that will come later. I do hope none of us need healthcare services anytime soon.

New Websites

I have put the links up for a couple more websites: Sherri Tice's and Bill Sandefer's. There is information on both that we all need. Sherri's is mostly who is where and Bill's is mostly regarding other schools. The links are under the links heading on the right.

Options for School

As the city continues its efforts to rescue, feed and hydrate those left in New Orleans we are all wondering what next. President Cowen has announced the semester has been surrendered to Katrina and the flood and left the students to fend for themselves. I have contacted a couple of the deans and recommended to anyone who would listen that we move the programs to our Houston campus. I have not heard back. So where does that leave us? I certainly do not know. I as many others have been furiously contacting other schools to find options for myself. Everyone I have talked to has been very understanding and some more accomodating than others. (This is mostly due to offerings and semester starts at their school.) At this time I highly recomment this course of action for all, although I am sure you are way ahead of the game.

Some other things I think must happen is that first the website must be brought back up. The career center needs to reopen and ensure Freeman Days in NY still happens. I have heard that Grant Thornton is trying to establish internships for MAcct students to work through this semester. I would also like to see how the school intends to treat the semester, is it just gone or will some if not all classes to be offered this Fall be offered in the Spring??? Finally, any word from our new dean would be nice.

Bill Sandefer has set up a Yahoo! group for us as well, here is the link:


href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tulanembatraveler/">

Good luck to all and post up what you have found out there!

This site is really for all Graduate students at the Freeman School

Everyone can post here.

Since I am now a Master of Accounting student we are all welcome here. I mostly just wanted to give a spot where we could distinguish between undergraduates and graduates. Especially since I feel our needs and solutions may be different.

Found

Please post people you have found here.

My list so far and these are all MBA 05 people.

Justin York
Mark Winograd
Ziggy Rees
John Keller
Pete Kissel
Ben DeHaven
Ken Clapp
Katie Russell
Camille Terk
Mike Dodson
Alex Forst
Edin Imsirovic
Lis Levatino
ML Phelps
Andrew Reynolds

Missing

Please post here missing people that you are looking for.

Welcome

I am sure most of you have seen President Cowen's message regarding the closure of Tulane University for the Fall semester. If you have not please see http://emergency.tulane.edu

I have created this spot in hopes of providing a place where the administration of the Business School can relay meesages to us and we can communicate with one another. I will be sending this blog to as many administrators as I can to accomplish this or at least find where we can find info.

President Cowen has suggested we follow the kind hearts of our peer institution and seek enrollment for the fall term in other programs. I fear the could casue many students to never return. I have also suggested to one of our dean's that we move as many classes as possible to our Houston campus. Of course no decision has been made, but we need to know very quickly.

I can be reached via email at kevin.gremillion@gmail.com as you all know by now email is completely down and there is no way for mass communication. Professor Pam Shaw has begun compiling an email list of alternate email addresses, please email her at pamela.shaw@gmail.com to give her your contact info.

Good luck to all and hope to see you soon.

Kevin