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SLU Disaster Relief Fund
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As you well know by now, Southeast Louisiana has again been devastated by a flood
that has reached historic proportions. The Southeastern Family has suffered along
with the region. The flooding has impacted many students, faculty, and staff, as well
as their loved ones. In addition to our thoughts and prayers, we are also taking action.
We take seriously our responsibility to members of the Southeastern family and are
moving forward to help in significant ways.
Helping Our Family
We have altered our academic calendar and processes to ease the burden on those
students starting the semester. We are also communicating with students as well as
faculty and staff who were impacted to offer assistance. Our hope is to ensure that
all have the support and flexibility needed to begin the school year.
In addition, we are asking our Southeastern family to help as well. We have
had an on-campus food pantry in operation for several years and are seeking additional
provisions to serve impacted students and their families. Although a limited resource,
we will use the Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund to assist in meeting the short-term
incidental needs of as many impacted students as possible.
Helping Others
Last week, scores of student volunteers helped with clean-up efforts for those
whose homes have been damaged. Many organizations and individuals on campus are also
working in various ways with donation drives to serve the needs of shelters and individuals
across the affected area.
We expect to continue to serve as a source of aid and support as our university
and region recover from this disaster. If you have an inquiry or need, call the Advancement
Office at 549-2239. If you have not been affected by the flooding and would like to
assist members of our Southeastern family, please go here or call the Advancement
office.
Sincerely,
John L. Crain
President
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Students volunteer to help clean area homes following floods
More than 180 Southeastern students and student-athletes showed their Lion pride
last week when they organized into groups to help area residents affected by the flooding
With classes re-scheduled to begin next week, the students were available to turn
their attention to helping residents by pulling out damaged carpeting and furniture
and starting the clean-up process in more than 100 area homes. Students carted shovels,
cleaning products and lots of water as they organized into car pools and caravans
to get to homes in Albany, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Ponchatoula and other areas.
Senior Nicole Delesdernier of Metairie, a member of the track and field team,
said since there were no classes yet she could not see a better use of her time.
“After Katrina, my family got 15 inches of water in our house,” she recalled.
“I know what these people are going through.”
“Our friends back home are sweating and coping with all of this,” said Chadney
Jones of Zachary. “I just wanted to do what I could to help.”
“I am really happy with the turnout. With less than 24 hours of notice, these
students showed up in force,” said Associate Professor of Communication Amber Narro,
who is coordinating the event. “It was heartwarming to see so many students answer
the call to serve their community. The only suggestion we got was that students should
bring twice as much water as they think they will need.”
In addition to helping with clean-up efforts, a number of Southeastern student
athletes volunteered to work at area shelters, packing supplies, helping with distribution
of donated items, and playing games with the children.
“In trying times, it’s our duty as members of this tremendous community to step
up and help any way we can,” said Athletics Director Jay Artigues. “I couldn’t be
prouder of our coaches and student-athletes for their willingness to do their part.”
HELP FOR ALBANY - Southeastern senior Bridget Pierce of Bogalusa drags carpet from a home flooded
in Albany. Students worked in teams helping to clean homes in nearby areas affected
by the floods.
GETTING ORGANIZED - Amber Reetz Narro, Southeastern associate professor of communication, gives directions
Wednesday to students prior to their leaving to help with cleanup in area communities.
Narro was one of the coordinators of Southeastern's project which involved more than
180 students and continued on Thursday and Friday.
BEHIND THE SCENES - Senior Morgan Robicheaux of Destrehan vacuums dirt and debris in a home in Albany.
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Postponed classes resume today
Southeastern postponed the startup of classes for the fall semester to today, due
to the widespread flooding in the region and its impact on students, faculty and staff.
The decision to delay was made after communicating with students, faculty and
staff members regarding their status given the impact of the floods. Consideration
was also given to the anticipated timeline for re-opening Interstate 12 and input
from partner agencies and businesses.
“We understand there are students who have suffered tremendous losses and will
not be able to start the semester as they may have planned,” said university President
John L. Crain. “Their lives have been hugely disrupted, and it likely will be some
time before normalcy can return for many of them. We will work with them on a case-by-case
basis to make sure they’re able to return to Southeastern whenever they’re ready.”
Changes to the academic calendar include the following:
-- August 22-24: Drop/Add Period (students will be able to drop to zero hours,
if needed)
-- August 24: Final day to cancel registration with a 100 percent refund. The
university will continue to consider refunds past this date on a case-by-case basis
for students impacted by the flooding.
Additional updates and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the status
of the semester can be found on Southeastern’s main webpage, southeastern.edu.
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Southeastern Counseling services available
The University Counseling Center provides free individual counseling for all Southeastern
students, faculty, staff and their families. At this time, we are offering support
groups to aid in disaster recovery. Call 549-3894 for more information.
The Counseling Center will also offer overwhelmed students disaster recovery
support groups for the next two weeks. They have reserved room 2202 in the Student
Union for the dates and times listed below and will have licensed professional counselors
on hand for crisis debriefing and general questions and concerns.
This week:
 Tuesday, August 23, 11-12 noon
Wednesday, August 24, 11-12 noon
Thursday, August 25, 1-2 p.m.
Next week
Tuesday, August 30, 11-12 noon
Wednesday, August 31, 11-12 noon
Thursday, September 1, 1-2 p.m.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AFTER A DISASTER
Distress
Distress is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Distress includes feeling
anxious, angry, stressed, overwhelmed, tearful, and sometimes numb. Distress causes
people to have difficulty sleeping and concentrating. You can expect to experience
some of these symptoms after a disaster.
Acute Distress Disorder
Severe distress can be a sign of Acute Distress Disorder. It is characterized by abnormal
levels of anxiety and dissociative symptoms and is different than Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder.
Resiliance
Most people psychologically and emotionally recover within a few weeks after a disaster.
This is called resilience. Resiliency is improved when we connect and help one another.
By remaining calm, we help ourselves, so that we may be of service to others.
Children
Children need help processing natural disasters. They are being surrounded by images
and stories that may be difficult for their underdeveloped brains to comprehend. Please
talk to your children and siblings by helping them understand why these events occurred
and supporting their emotional needs.
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Southeastern announces fall 2016 non-credit courses
Registration is now underway for career and personal enrichment courses through Southeastern’s
Office of Non-Credit Programs.
Fall 2016 non-credit career enrichment courses include Society for Human Resources
Management (SHRM) Exam Preparation, Notary Test Prep, Financial Strategies for Successful
Retirement, and English as a Second Language.
Director of Non-Credit Programs Paul Forbes said workforce and professional development
continues to be a focus for 2016 course offerings.
“Our courses are designed to build participants’ resumes and to assist organizations
with professional development,” he added.
Classes are offered at Southeastern’s main campus in Hammond, the Livingston
Literacy and Technology Center in Walker, and the St. Tammany Center in Mandeville.
The schedule of sessions offered this fall and their costs follow:
Notary Test Prep – Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m., St. Tammany Center, $675.
ACT Test Prep – all sessions begin at 5 p.m.; $250.
• Mandeville (Fontainebleau High School): Session 1: Aug. 9; Session 2: Oct.
4; and Session 3: Nov. 17
• Walker (Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center): Session 1: Oct.
4; and Session 2: Nov. 3.
SHRM Exam Preparation – Sept. 8, 6 p.m., St. Tammany Center, $1,150. This course prepares participants
to take the examination for the SHRM Certified Professional (CP) and Senior Certified
Professional (SCP).
Financial Strategies for Retirement – all sessions begin at 6 p.m., $50.
• Livingston location (Livingston Literacy and Technology Center): Sept. 12
• Hammond location (SLU University Center): Sept. 13
• Mandeville location (St. Tammany Center): Sept. 15
English as a Second Language – This program is designed for all levels of English as a second language and geared
for individuals seeking entrance to SLU or preparing for the Test for English as a
Second Language (TOEFL). Emigration and visa requirements apply; $943.
Additional details are available at southeastern.edu/noncredit.
For more information and a complete list of courses, visit the website southeastern.edu/noncredit,
or contact Forbes at noncredit@southeastern.edu or 549-2301.
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Southeastern Athletics Announces Kid Zone Changes for 2016 Football Season
Southeastern Athletics’ interactive experience for young fans, the Kid Zone, will
be moved to Friendship Circle for the upcoming 2016 football season.
The Kid Zone, which is open to children ages 12 and under with parent supervision,
will now open three hours prior to kickoff and close 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
For a 7 p.m. game, the Kid Zone will be open from 4-6:30 p.m.
The Kid Zone will feature a bounce house, a prize wheel, hula hoops, a coloring/craft
area, other inflatable/interactive games and a marked off football area where young
Lion fans are able to play. Children will also have the opportunity to interact with
Southeastern student-athletes at the Kid Zone.
Members of the Mission Church as well as the Southeastern Athletics Marketing
and Promotions staff will be present to assist with activities. The Mission Church
will also offer snowballs – while supplies last - at the Kid Zone for the Sept. 24
home opener versus Northwestern State.
For more information on the Kid Zone changes, contact Coordinator of Athletic
Marketing and Promotions Lindsey Cramer at lindsey.cramer@southeastern.edu or 549-3227.
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Volleyball, Green and Gold Match, University Center, 
