SUNO plans full recovery despite Katrina setbacks

Despite the seesaw opinions of state administrators regarding the future of Southern University at New Orleans, the college is still employing efforts to ensure a full recovery and full recruitment for its spring 2006 semester.
Flood and wind damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, and later flood damage caused by a levee breach during Hurricane Rita, allowed more than eight feet of water to consume the New Orleans campus. SUNO administrators, students and faculty relocated to Southern’s Baton Rouge campus and began a recovery process that included resuming classes and online education.
Not to be left out is next semester’s registration process.
“We’ve done everything we could possibly do,” said Charles Williams, Ph.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Williams said a hotline number was given to SUNO students, along with information regarding preadvisement or preregistration, which will be held beginning today in Stewart Hall and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. During preadvisement, students will be able to schedule classes for the spring semester, talk to a financial aid and academic counselors and receive assistance with FEMA applications. The process is open to new and continuing students.
SUNO was founded in 1956 as a branch of the Baton Rouge campus and in 1975, it became an independent college under the Southern University System Board of Supervisors.
In its rebirth, administrators at SUNO propose to refocus its resources to ensure the continuation of quality educational offerings, Williams said, despite the devastating impact of Katrina.
But the impact of Katrina has left state officials, including the Louisiana Board of Regents, with at least a $77 million shortfall and if Gov. Kathleen Blanco cannot tap into the state’s rainy day fund, then another $66 million will have to be found.
The premise that the university was founded to provide higher learning education to nontraditional students as well as impoverished or low-wage students may work against it.
According to E. Joseph Savoie, state commissioner of higher education, the $66 million represents 6.5 percent of the general fund appropriation from the state.
“That is only part of our operating appropriations which goes to self-generating funds (tuition) and dedicated funds such as the desegregation settlement and distance learning,” Savoie said. “I am working (statewide) with system boards to come up with a consensus plan. The boards have the option to cut or appropriate, but we have the responsibility to manage.
SUNO is one of the colleges that will likely take a hard hit.
“The schools in New Orleans are going to be different tomorrow than they were yesterday. The student bodies aren’t going to be the same,” Savoie said. “Budget cuts will be adjusted to reflect the current reality and what the colleges’ short-term future will be.”
SUNO was initially granted $1,050,000 by the state Legislature, to be taken from general funds for the acquisition of property, reconstruction and refurnishing.
SUNO recently submitted to the SUS Board of Supervisors an academic plan to rebuild the student body and recover the nearly 3,400 students it had before the hurricane. The college projected a 33 percent permanent loss of students due to the hurricane.
According to SUNO, it had tentative plans to attempt to rebuild the student body up to 5000 by the year 2010. The plan called for new recruitment and retention strategies, new academic programs and faculty initiatives.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is helping out by placing several module units on SUNO campus for the spring semester.
“Each module will be used for instructional and administrative purposes,” Williams said. “There will be 26 instructional units, each with one computer and 35 student desks. Some module units will be used for computer classrooms and labs.
“Other module units will be used as offices for each individual colleges and schools,” he said.
SUNO does not plan to substantially change its programs offerings. Every effort will be made to enhance its existing curriculum to meet the new challenges and needs of metropolitan New Orleans. Classes listed in the school’s catalog under the spring semester will be offered. Other classes needed would be offered upon demand.
“What we are trying to do is offer the courses that the students need for graduation,” said Williams.
In high hopes for recruitment, SUNO is planning to throw a welcome celebration. As part of the festivities, students and alumni will share their experiences and stories.
“It’s a time for anyone who’s ever attended SUNO to come and share,” said Adrell Pinkney, director of student activities and organizations.