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