Weekly Update from the President

Dear Members of the Loyola University Community,

As I am sure you realize our work for the University is situated in the much larger context of New Orleans, Louisiana, the Gulf Coast. In many areas we have been working with other colleges and universities to coordinate our efforts with different governmental agencies.

At the end of October Mr. Tommy Screen and I met with congressman Bobby Jindal, Senator Mary Landrieu and Senator David Vitter on Capitol Hill to let them know of the university's efforts to re-open in January and to inform them of the different needs we have as a university. Each member was excited to hear our plans for re-opening and promised to continue fighting on our behalf to obtain whatever federal funding may be available and to apply pressure to FEMA to help us solve our housing needs. In addition to our Capitol Hill visits, we met with Sally Stroup the Assistant Secretary of Education. Sally, who is a Loyola law graduate, promised to help us with the numerous different financial aid regulations, which Loyola must abide by under the law. she assured us that during these difficult times, the department would do everything in their power to help the university in the daunting task of disbursing aid to our students.

At the moment there is a supplemental appropriation, with education relief in the bill, that is coming up for a vote. We are working with other colleges and universities to support this measure. We are also working with a coalition of higher education associations to support the bill. On Wednesday I will attend a meeting, in Washington, DC, of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities on follow up to the hurricane.

On the local level Mr. Screen, Rhonda Cartwright, and I have been working with FEMA to set up temporary housing for those staff and employees who might need it. This has been a very complicated and frustrating effort. At the moment we are now working with local jurisdictions for permissions to set up housing on some property that is owned by the University.

As soon as we have any real alternatives for people we will let you know.

As I have said in several past letters, we have been at work with Tulane and the Lusher school to open up educational possibilities for the children of our faculty and staff. We would like those who would like to take advantage of this opportunity to please sign up. (Site can be found at https://secure.loyno.edu/hr/lusher.php) We will forward this information to the folks at Lusher.

I am thankful to the faculty, deans, and Provost for all of the work putting together the academic schedule for next semester. It is good to have the registration process underway.

I hope this letter finds you well!

With prayers and best wishes,

Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D.

President

16 November 2005

Posted on November 29, 2005