As region recovers, so does Southeastern
Thursday, September 29, 2016
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – As the university with the largest percentage of students from areas impacted
by recent flooding, the uncertainty of so many variables for so many Southeastern
Louisiana University students, faculty and staff in mid-August was incalculable. Compounding
the unknown factors was the fact that the flooding ensued less than a week before
the scheduled start of classes for the fall semester.
“As a regional university, many of Southeastern’s students hail from the parishes
that were hardest hit by the flooding,” said President John L. Crain. “Almost half
of our students call four of the most impacted parishes home – Ascension, East Baton
Rouge, Livingston and Tangipahoa.”
Thankfully, the campus and immediate surrounding communities remained largely
unscathed but the flooding wreaked havoc on the usual timeline for the fall semester,
and the start of classes was eventually pushed back from Aug. 17 to Aug. 22, said
Crain.
Faculty and staff volunteered to launch and man a phone bank in the Admissions
Communications Center while a myriad of additional communication efforts were employed
to reach out to students whose statuses remained unknown or who had indicated via
an online semester intent form that they needed special assistance.
“First we wanted to let our students know we were thankful to have reached them
and that they were safe. And then we wanted to assure them that Southeastern would
help them however possible,” said Crain.
In all, more than 5,000 calls were made.
Deadlines for financial aid, course selection and payment of fees were extended.
Additional payment options were made available. Special consideration was given to
those unable to move into residence halls prior to the start of classes or attend
the first days of class. Textbook Rental replaced nearly 200 textbooks that were lost
or damaged in the flood free of charge for students. Parking passes and Southeastern
IDs were also re-issued at no cost. In addition, over 100 alumni received re-prints
of diplomas.
“Faculty and staff expended extraordinary effort,” Crain said. “Some were making
calls and helping make accommodations for students even while they were waiting for
water to recede in their own houses. It is times like this that the Southeastern Family
truly pulls together, and I am humbled to work alongside them.”
Beyond the more technical but necessary items such as adjustments to the academic
calendar and the corresponding changes needed to meet financial aid disbursement regulations,
members of the university also stepped up to volunteer their personal time and energy
to assist with clean-up efforts.
Students and student-athletes proved to be “Lion Strong,” volunteering well
over 1,000 hours of service to help with recovery efforts throughout our region. They
helped rip out sheetrock, move water-logged furnishings, and whatever else needed
to be done in well over 100 homes.
Likewise, many faculty and staff helped friends and neighbors with recovery efforts
and have donated money and supplies for disaster relief assistance. The Southeastern
Food Pantry, which usually serves only the student population, opened its doors to
families of students and those in the community in need of provisions.
The Lion Ride Share program was conceived and implemented online in order to
help commuting students, faculty and staff members who lost vehicles in the flooding.
Additionally, the Southeastern Foundation established a Disaster Relief Fund
to assist in meeting the short term needs of as many students, faculty, and staff
as possible. Staff secured a grant from the Northshore Community Foundation to supplement
the funds donated by individuals.
One student who received grant funding wrote the following as a thank you:
“In August of 2016, the month I started my first semester of college, my home
was flooded. I lost personal belongings, including clothes, shoes, pictures of me
and loved ones who are no longer with us, etc. To be part of a wonderful university
that was able to collect money for students like me warms my heart. I cannot thank
you enough for your generosity. This truly means so much to me.”
Nearly 200 grants have been provided thus far to assist those needing help as
they continue to work toward recovery.
As the region embarks on the more long-term phases of recovery, students are
urged to take advantage of the services available to them free of charge through the
University Counseling Center. Counselors are available for sessions with those who
may be feeling overwhelmed by flood-related issues, especially now that the initial
shock of the natural disaster has passed. Students may access the center in the Student
Union Annex or call (985) 549-3894 to make appointments.
“I am tremendously proud of our campus community members who went above and beyond
in the aftermath of the flooding,” said Southeastern Louisiana University President
John L. Crain. “There is no doubt their efforts made a difference in the lives of
those impacted and led to our strong fall enrollment despite the enormous uncertainties
and obstacles faced at the outset.”
Southeastern Louisiana University’s fall enrollment of new freshmen increased,
rising 14.4 percent. Prior to the flooding, Southeastern was anticipating its largest
freshman class in recent history, Crain said. Of note is an accompanying increase
in ACT composite scores among that freshman class (now 22.3 compared to 21.9 last
year) , which translates into more students who are better prepared to succeed in
a university setting. Fall total enrollment headcount is 14,499, roughly the same
as last year’s.
Enrollment officers and counselors at Southeastern report the vast majority of
students who were unable to enroll this fall indicate they plan to sit out one or
two semesters with the intent of eventually re-enrolling, according to Lori Fairburn,
Director of Enrollment Services
“We are working with them every way possible to help them continue their higher
education and will welcome them to campus as soon as they are able to return,” Fairburn
said.
Also showing enrollment gains this fall is Connect to Success, the admissions
bridge program that now boasts approximately 649 students, the highest in the program’s
five-year history. The partnership between Southeastern and Northshore Technical
Community College provides post-secondary educational opportunities for students in
the region who are seeking admission to the university but don't yet meet admission
criteria. NTCC students participating in the program take their courses on the Southeastern
campus, and have access to its library, Student Union, and other amenities and services.
Continuing to serve its mission as a regional university, the top feeder parishes
to the university remained consistent, with 3,263 students from St. Tammany Parish
and 1,957 from Tangipahoa Parish. Other parishes sending high numbers of students
to Southeastern include East Baton Rouge, 1,830; Livingston, 1,562; Jefferson, 1,288,
and Ascension, 1,261.