Program helps Dillard U. professors rebuild course materials, raises spirits
By KATHERINE S. MANGAN
Georgetown, Tex.
When Hurricane Katrina's storm surge overwhelmed New Orleans's levees, the murky waters of Lake Pontchartrain swallowed up Gloria C. Love's ground-floor office at Dillard University, ruining her computers, books, research notes, and syllabi.
Three months later, with no home, no electricity in her recently installed government-issued trailer, and a shuttered campus, the professor was hard pressed to begin planning for spring-semester classes, which are scheduled to resume at a downtown hotel and various campuses around New Orleans on January 9.
But for two weeks in December, she and a dozen colleagues were invited here to Southwestern University to begin resurrecting their course materials and creating new ones so they would have something to teach with when classes start. The program was established by the Texas university and its regional technology laboratory, with the help of a $160,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
As visiting scholars at Southwestern, a small undergraduate university of 1,200 students, they lived and worked in a quiet bedroom community outside Austin. The Mellon grant covered their transportation and lodging, while Southwestern picked up the tab for meals on the campus, along with a $1,500 stipend.
Ms. Love, an assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, used her central Texas respite to work on her department's Web site and prepare syllabi for courses she expects to teach. Many of Dillard's professors lost everything when their campus of gleaming white buildings and towering oaks sat submerged in up to eight feet of water for three weeks (The Chronicle, November 11). She said her time at Southwestern was "a breathing moment — a chance to recapture our spirit."
"They brought us from a ghost town and helped us regain our sanity," said Ms. Love.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
First Day Back to Work
The long anticipated return to work at Southern U of New Orleans came and went today without much to report...after an initial meeting to assess the situation and update returning employees on the future...folks got right back into the routine of work. Seeing a few people who were furloughed was disconcerting...but these days are so busy...you don't have time to stop and measure another person's pain as adequately as one should. I liken it to a football game...where a player goes down...and he is replaced and play resumes...it seems cold and heartless...but it is the way the game is played.
Three students approached me about being advised...one it turns out needed to speak with an employee who was released over the break...quite a sobering moment in my day. We are all so close to being furloughed and cannot spend time worrying about it with the demand of work and the number of things that need to get done each day.
The game plan for SUNO is to hold Registraton at Sophie B Wright Middle School in New Orleans next week. To say that the trailers are 50% ready would probably be generous. So my assessment for now is that classes will probably begin in New Orleans, with some necessarily having to be offered here in Baton Rouge as well.
My greatest concern is for students seeking other options. SUNO has not addressed their responsibilty to provide students with transcripts. What is more worrisome is students seeking to register with SUNO are not able to get transcripts for advisement.
I fear the majority of returning students are graduating seniors and that once this cohort passes thru a semester or two...our enrollment will steeply fall. Moreover, I see no prospect for holding a summer session...that means i may have to face the summer without a job.
Let's hope and pray for the best
Penn State wins the Orange Bowl in 3OT
UConn falls to Marquette in the Golden Warriors Big East debut
Three students approached me about being advised...one it turns out needed to speak with an employee who was released over the break...quite a sobering moment in my day. We are all so close to being furloughed and cannot spend time worrying about it with the demand of work and the number of things that need to get done each day.
The game plan for SUNO is to hold Registraton at Sophie B Wright Middle School in New Orleans next week. To say that the trailers are 50% ready would probably be generous. So my assessment for now is that classes will probably begin in New Orleans, with some necessarily having to be offered here in Baton Rouge as well.
My greatest concern is for students seeking other options. SUNO has not addressed their responsibilty to provide students with transcripts. What is more worrisome is students seeking to register with SUNO are not able to get transcripts for advisement.
I fear the majority of returning students are graduating seniors and that once this cohort passes thru a semester or two...our enrollment will steeply fall. Moreover, I see no prospect for holding a summer session...that means i may have to face the summer without a job.
Let's hope and pray for the best
Penn State wins the Orange Bowl in 3OT
UConn falls to Marquette in the Golden Warriors Big East debut
Monday, January 02, 2006
PROPERTY VALUES PLUMMET...AND SO DOES THE TAX BASE
The taxable value of New Orleans property has fallen by 54 percent because of Hurricane Katrina damage, according to preliminary figures compiled by the city's seven assessors, who for the past few months have been hurriedly reappraising homes and businesses to reflect their post-storm worth.
Whereas last year the city billed property owners for $452 million in taxes, this year's bills will total just $208 million, said 5th District Assessor Tom Arnold, who spoke for the group.
Comment: it is apparent that we no longer need seven assessors, would you say ?
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS NEWS
Jim Haslett, the beleaguered coach of the displaced Saints, was fired Monday after completing his sixth and worst season.
Comment: It is always business...never personal, but the franchise history of the Saints has to be taken personally.
FEMA AND THE HOTEL DEADLINE FOR EVACUEES
Hurricane Katrina evacuees around the nation who faced a Jan. 7 deadline for checking out of their government-funded hotel rooms have received a reprieve: Federal officials will keep paying for the rooms beyond that date as they iron out issues arising from a class-action lawsuit.
Comment: Scare tactics by fed agencies are not going to be effective...just put the trailers in place.
HOUSTON CRIME RATES SURGE
Evacuee- packed Houston sees jump in crime
9 of 122 killings tied to people from N.O.
On the heels of Hurricane Katrina, more than 100,000 evacuees landed in Houston. Now officials there say the city has found itself under the gun, with an escalating murder rate and population bursting at the seams.
The murder rate is up 25 percent since last year and up 70 percent in December alone, with 14 more murders this month compared with the same time period last year. Although the connection between evacuees and the surge in violence is statistically tenuous, with only nine of the city's 122 post-Katrina homicides involving someone, either as suspect or victim, who evacuated there, city officials continue to link the increase in bloodshed to the dramatic population boom.
Spike in homicides
There have been 121 homicides in Houston since September, compared to 92 during the same period last year. There were 26 homicides in September both years, but the homicide rate climbed in October to 29 from 24 a year ago.
The increase spiked in November, to 32 from 22 a year ago, and again in December, with 34 as of Tuesday, compared to 20 last year.
Abad said it is nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly which factors have contributed to the higher violent crime rates, and it's even more difficult to track the ways hurricane evacuees have or have not contributed to it.
"We are concerned about fighting crime no matter who is committing it," Abad said. "We don't stop and ask everyone we arrest if they're from Louisiana or not. Many people who evacuated to this city are becoming residents now. They're signing leases and paying rent. At what point do we stop calling them evacuees? A week, six months, a year?
"We want to ensure that longtime Houston residents and those who have made Houston a home in the last few months don't have to fear for their lives."
COMMENT: The mix of cultures forced on Houston was just too much too soon...not enough space for people to co-exist
RADIO ONE
Kickin' Science...the Exit Fest was founded originally by students protesting Slobodan Milosoviec...i suppose the idea was to get him to leave...ergo "Exit"...quite meaningful...i always wondered what the theme for this massive event was based upon.
Eight hours of dance music from the 2005 archive chosen by YOU and our Radio 1 DJs.
Pete Tong
DJ Yoda
Eddie Halliwell
Sasha
Dave Clarke
Underworld (live performance)
The taxable value of New Orleans property has fallen by 54 percent because of Hurricane Katrina damage, according to preliminary figures compiled by the city's seven assessors, who for the past few months have been hurriedly reappraising homes and businesses to reflect their post-storm worth.
Whereas last year the city billed property owners for $452 million in taxes, this year's bills will total just $208 million, said 5th District Assessor Tom Arnold, who spoke for the group.
Comment: it is apparent that we no longer need seven assessors, would you say ?
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS NEWS
Jim Haslett, the beleaguered coach of the displaced Saints, was fired Monday after completing his sixth and worst season.
Comment: It is always business...never personal, but the franchise history of the Saints has to be taken personally.
FEMA AND THE HOTEL DEADLINE FOR EVACUEES
Hurricane Katrina evacuees around the nation who faced a Jan. 7 deadline for checking out of their government-funded hotel rooms have received a reprieve: Federal officials will keep paying for the rooms beyond that date as they iron out issues arising from a class-action lawsuit.
Comment: Scare tactics by fed agencies are not going to be effective...just put the trailers in place.
HOUSTON CRIME RATES SURGE
Evacuee- packed Houston sees jump in crime
9 of 122 killings tied to people from N.O.
On the heels of Hurricane Katrina, more than 100,000 evacuees landed in Houston. Now officials there say the city has found itself under the gun, with an escalating murder rate and population bursting at the seams.
The murder rate is up 25 percent since last year and up 70 percent in December alone, with 14 more murders this month compared with the same time period last year. Although the connection between evacuees and the surge in violence is statistically tenuous, with only nine of the city's 122 post-Katrina homicides involving someone, either as suspect or victim, who evacuated there, city officials continue to link the increase in bloodshed to the dramatic population boom.
Spike in homicides
There have been 121 homicides in Houston since September, compared to 92 during the same period last year. There were 26 homicides in September both years, but the homicide rate climbed in October to 29 from 24 a year ago.
The increase spiked in November, to 32 from 22 a year ago, and again in December, with 34 as of Tuesday, compared to 20 last year.
Abad said it is nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly which factors have contributed to the higher violent crime rates, and it's even more difficult to track the ways hurricane evacuees have or have not contributed to it.
"We are concerned about fighting crime no matter who is committing it," Abad said. "We don't stop and ask everyone we arrest if they're from Louisiana or not. Many people who evacuated to this city are becoming residents now. They're signing leases and paying rent. At what point do we stop calling them evacuees? A week, six months, a year?
"We want to ensure that longtime Houston residents and those who have made Houston a home in the last few months don't have to fear for their lives."
COMMENT: The mix of cultures forced on Houston was just too much too soon...not enough space for people to co-exist
RADIO ONE
Kickin' Science...the Exit Fest was founded originally by students protesting Slobodan Milosoviec...i suppose the idea was to get him to leave...ergo "Exit"...quite meaningful...i always wondered what the theme for this massive event was based upon.
Eight hours of dance music from the 2005 archive chosen by YOU and our Radio 1 DJs.
Pete Tong
DJ Yoda
Eddie Halliwell
Sasha
Dave Clarke
Underworld (live performance)
A New Edition
Congrats to Brother Guy Mason on the birth of his child...more details to follow...stayed tuned
Brother Guillory
The Out of Control Four
1982
Brother Guillory
The Out of Control Four
1982
Greetings
With January 3 being the "Go" Date for the return of Southern U to New Orleans, I am quite naturally anxious and uneasy. A well-timed phone call from a relative has provided the first smile of my day.
But these types of tough questions will set the tone for the year for everyone returning to NOLA to rebuild. I have tough questions to answer of my own:
Where will I live...on campus...in a trailer zone...or in the home of someone there?
How many students will return to SUNO?
As I watch the Saints battle the Bucs in their last game of the year, I know that the team will return to NOLA as ordered by the NFL. Whether that is good or bad will be up to the team's owner for he will set the table.
Will Benson continue to demand a move to San Antonio?
Will the Superdome be ready at all this year for football?
Will Aaron Brooks be traded?
How will Deuce respond to his knee injury?
Can Deuce be expected to be a Pro Bowl Running Back ?
Should i purchase season tickets and support the team?
Will Benson step and be a part of the recovery effort ?
After watching the Saints play and fight for a win..and watching the NFL makes outrageous calls to preserve a Tampa Bay win...I come to the conclusion that the Saints are part of our community...a vital....and I will support them despite what I know to be an obvious attempt...to reduce the team...and the fans...to a critical mass of disconcert...for the sake of fun...I will get my season tickets just to spite the NFL...and have fun watching the last season of pro football in New Orleans....my son says the Saints are his team...and that is good enough for me...
All these things are matters of concern for bringing our city back...but...we must take pause to say thanks for our blessings over the past year...many did not live to see the New Year...and for them we take a moment to pause...especially those young men and women who gave their lives in combat...their sacrifice is what keeps us safe and sound here at home...we wish only the best to their family and friends...and pray that their loss is something we remember each and every day...
From this day forward...making a significant entry to this journal will be what i will do to give those following the re-building of New Orleans a place to visit and see if we do a good job....
Comments are, as always, welcome.
To all reading my Blog...Happy New Year...and Best Wishes for the Future!!
Roll Tide...Beat Texas Tech
Lord Darkmeat
With January 3 being the "Go" Date for the return of Southern U to New Orleans, I am quite naturally anxious and uneasy. A well-timed phone call from a relative has provided the first smile of my day.
But these types of tough questions will set the tone for the year for everyone returning to NOLA to rebuild. I have tough questions to answer of my own:
Where will I live...on campus...in a trailer zone...or in the home of someone there?
How many students will return to SUNO?
As I watch the Saints battle the Bucs in their last game of the year, I know that the team will return to NOLA as ordered by the NFL. Whether that is good or bad will be up to the team's owner for he will set the table.
Will Benson continue to demand a move to San Antonio?
Will the Superdome be ready at all this year for football?
Will Aaron Brooks be traded?
How will Deuce respond to his knee injury?
Can Deuce be expected to be a Pro Bowl Running Back ?
Should i purchase season tickets and support the team?
Will Benson step and be a part of the recovery effort ?
After watching the Saints play and fight for a win..and watching the NFL makes outrageous calls to preserve a Tampa Bay win...I come to the conclusion that the Saints are part of our community...a vital....and I will support them despite what I know to be an obvious attempt...to reduce the team...and the fans...to a critical mass of disconcert...for the sake of fun...I will get my season tickets just to spite the NFL...and have fun watching the last season of pro football in New Orleans....my son says the Saints are his team...and that is good enough for me...
All these things are matters of concern for bringing our city back...but...we must take pause to say thanks for our blessings over the past year...many did not live to see the New Year...and for them we take a moment to pause...especially those young men and women who gave their lives in combat...their sacrifice is what keeps us safe and sound here at home...we wish only the best to their family and friends...and pray that their loss is something we remember each and every day...
From this day forward...making a significant entry to this journal will be what i will do to give those following the re-building of New Orleans a place to visit and see if we do a good job....
Comments are, as always, welcome.
To all reading my Blog...Happy New Year...and Best Wishes for the Future!!
Roll Tide...Beat Texas Tech
Lord Darkmeat
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
The Bowl Game Week
The onslaught of meaningless bowl games has picked up pace today...the endless promotion of USC/Texas is to be expected...but ESPN has become the station i love to to mute and just watch...non-stop, mindless chatter about athletics no longer holds my interest...all one can do is turn down the sound...kick up a good set of tunes...and remember to enjoy the holidays...it beats the heck out of work!
So...on Clemson...on LSU...on ASU...on OSU...and PSU, too
On Michigan...on OU....on Ucla...on SoCarolina...NC State...and the Ramblin Wreck, too
To the Bulldogs of Fresno and Georgia...go baby go
And finally...i never met a Trojan i did not hate....Hook'em Horns...Go Texas
So...on Clemson...on LSU...on ASU...on OSU...and PSU, too
On Michigan...on OU....on Ucla...on SoCarolina...NC State...and the Ramblin Wreck, too
To the Bulldogs of Fresno and Georgia...go baby go
And finally...i never met a Trojan i did not hate....Hook'em Horns...Go Texas
Post Christmas Thoughts
Thankfully, things have been quiet for the most part, except for post-election Iraq. Since the imperial empire decided to give freedom to the Iraqis, things naturally have gotten worse. I am not referring to the daily ritual of blowing innocent people to heaven and then blaming Americans...I am referring to the depths to which the trial of Saddam has sunken...to the failure of the Iraqi economy to recover from the fall of central government...to the dissatisfaction Iraqis have with life in post-imperial Iraq.
All I can say is...be careful what you wish for...Dubya and his policy neanderthals may give it to you...and don't complain...thoughts are not welcome with this administration...just an endless supply of soldiers to chase bad men all over the goddamn planet...and never catch one!
Boy...have we been led astray.
All I can say is...be careful what you wish for...Dubya and his policy neanderthals may give it to you...and don't complain...thoughts are not welcome with this administration...just an endless supply of soldiers to chase bad men all over the goddamn planet...and never catch one!
Boy...have we been led astray.
Monday, December 12, 2005
My First Post-Katrina Entry
Where Do I Start ?
It is hard to begin at one point in time other than the present. The testimony of the four people from New Orleans in Congress was extremely moving. But as time goes by, I am becoming removed from the entire process of defining failure. I have resolved matters in my mind by coming to the conclusion that this experience will be the single most defining event in my life and I can celebrate changes this event has brought to my life.
My return to New Orleans will be the last leg on this journey...scheduled for January when Southern U at New Orleans resumes operations on our North Campus. This will be quite an experience. Hopefully, our students will return and we can rebuild the school and at the same time I can be nearby to see Ponchartrain Park come back. I have my doubts, but that is only because so many factors are beyond my control. Nevertheless, my anticipation is beginning to grow as I want to see how this episode plays out.
That's all for now...
It is hard to begin at one point in time other than the present. The testimony of the four people from New Orleans in Congress was extremely moving. But as time goes by, I am becoming removed from the entire process of defining failure. I have resolved matters in my mind by coming to the conclusion that this experience will be the single most defining event in my life and I can celebrate changes this event has brought to my life.
My return to New Orleans will be the last leg on this journey...scheduled for January when Southern U at New Orleans resumes operations on our North Campus. This will be quite an experience. Hopefully, our students will return and we can rebuild the school and at the same time I can be nearby to see Ponchartrain Park come back. I have my doubts, but that is only because so many factors are beyond my control. Nevertheless, my anticipation is beginning to grow as I want to see how this episode plays out.
That's all for now...
Monday, June 27, 2005
Flava Weekend Sportz Wrap
While we all struggle to reduce the taste and weight in our eating, I see no need to cut calories in writing...so hear goes the first weekend sports wrap, yo......
Yo, Terry Francona...how do you want that Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich ?
The former manager of the Phillies must have been smiling on the flight back to Bean Town last night...I do not want to gloat over the negative aspects of the past...I was not part of the Red Sox Nation when Francona was a mere mortal in Phillly...he is now Captain of the RS Nation...a superhero, you know....let's hope Millwood throws one down and away tonite and Big Papi puts the pressure on him with a swing that truly has no holes....
Birdie Kim ?
You have got to be kidding...from the bunker...as Jim Miller whines and moans about playoffs...this chic just goes all out !! Big Ups to the South Koreans...As the number of Asian players increases, we had better get more coverage of the Asian tour...or the Pacific Rim, at least....
It's In the Hole....Paddy Boy !
Yo, Terry Francona...how do you want that Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich ?
The former manager of the Phillies must have been smiling on the flight back to Bean Town last night...I do not want to gloat over the negative aspects of the past...I was not part of the Red Sox Nation when Francona was a mere mortal in Phillly...he is now Captain of the RS Nation...a superhero, you know....let's hope Millwood throws one down and away tonite and Big Papi puts the pressure on him with a swing that truly has no holes....
Birdie Kim ?
You have got to be kidding...from the bunker...as Jim Miller whines and moans about playoffs...this chic just goes all out !! Big Ups to the South Koreans...As the number of Asian players increases, we had better get more coverage of the Asian tour...or the Pacific Rim, at least....
It's In the Hole....Paddy Boy !
A 65 footer for eagle on the final hole...with breaks all over the place ? C'mon Jim...you gotta laugh at that and at yourself for losing...you did not get a case of the "nerves"...Harrington was runner-up last year...remember ?
The NBA Draft
The University of Utah can become the first school in sports history to land the #1 Draft Picks in both the NFL and NBA in the same year.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Red Sox sweep the Cleveland Indians
The Indians were swept...but will probably be up for the weekend series in Boston...how good is the AL Central ?...we will see when the B-Sox and the W-Sox tangle in July !!
But first we shall keep our eye on the prize....Baltimore...who is your daddy !!
But first we shall keep our eye on the prize....Baltimore...who is your daddy !!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Tulane...Wave Good Bye
Y'all come back now...that's what the Greenies heard as their seven run lead evaporated in the third biggest turn around in CWS history happened last night...
Game Six...NBA Finals
I actually enjoyed this game...keep in mind...i listened to the game on AM radio while doing housework...i look forward to Game Seven...thing is...i hear more people say the NBA is fixed than i have ever heard before...makes me feel proud !
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Friday, June 03, 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Termite Wars in the Bayou
While my mind wonders as I try to put forth a decent effort in data preparation, I have come to the conclusion that Summer has arrived...I spent the majority of my evening meal battling the advances of the termites...here in New Orleans, they are briefly airborne then attempt to setup camp wherever they can establish a beachhead.
My forces were comopletely caught off guard....I was only able to mount a defense of household chemicals...and I armed myself with the vacuum to deal with their crack units which got past the bleach and Pine Sol lines of first defense...actually, it was one of those moments one has to take to laugh at oneself.
When the pests return tonite, I will be ready....I plan to have my defenses ready for their advances !!
My forces were comopletely caught off guard....I was only able to mount a defense of household chemicals...and I armed myself with the vacuum to deal with their crack units which got past the bleach and Pine Sol lines of first defense...actually, it was one of those moments one has to take to laugh at oneself.
When the pests return tonite, I will be ready....I plan to have my defenses ready for their advances !!
Friday, May 20, 2005
Friday, April 15, 2005
Randy Moss goes Raider
I had to revisit this blog, because the football schedule has been announced...now would you like to wager on who is the reason the Raiders have four (4) prime time football appearances ?
Randy....Randy....Randy !!!!
So the Raiders will continue their tradition of vertical football...stretch the defense, you know, occupy the safeties with his length...all that sounds great, but who is gonna throw him the ball ?
Randy....Randy....Randy !!!!
So the Raiders will continue their tradition of vertical football...stretch the defense, you know, occupy the safeties with his length...all that sounds great, but who is gonna throw him the ball ?
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Byron Scott & the Lakers
Let's face it....how long will it be before Mitch Kupchak is shown the door and Byron Scott brought in to bring credibility to one of the World's Most Famous franchises ?
Also, if King James and Coach Jackson both go to the mecca of hoops, should they do the bride and groom thang like Williams/Ditka back in the day ?
As far as I am concerned it is only a matter of time before one or both of these events happens...Shaq can only hold up the NBA one more year.....
Also, if King James and Coach Jackson both go to the mecca of hoops, should they do the bride and groom thang like Williams/Ditka back in the day ?
As far as I am concerned it is only a matter of time before one or both of these events happens...Shaq can only hold up the NBA one more year.....
Go Saints....Rah....Yawn....Stretch....Snore
Joe Horn has re-signed...boy, the town is on fire !!
I was more excited when I heard Coach Haslett admit to using the juice because the Steelers pounded his butt twice a year...
Have we traded our best defensive linemen yet ? I wonder what we are waiting for.....
I was more excited when I heard Coach Haslett admit to using the juice because the Steelers pounded his butt twice a year...
Have we traded our best defensive linemen yet ? I wonder what we are waiting for.....
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