�鶹AV

Fall semester classes at the �鶹AV will begin Monday as scheduled, with some accommodations for students still affected by catastrophic flooding in the state.

�鶹AV was closed Monday, but personnel responsible for student services were on the job. “We’ve had to make some adjustments because of the extreme weather conditions, such as postponing Freshman Move-In Day from last Sunday to Wednesday, but operations have remained orderly,” said Dr. DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management.

Bowie said the University recognizes that students whose homes and property have been damaged by floodwater may be facing some unexpected challenges.

Any student who is unable to get to campus for the first day of class as a result of flooding should call the Dean of Students Office at (337) 482-6276, send email to deanofstudents@louisiana.edu or go to to submit an online form.

The University has taken steps to help students in several ways.

“Families may be looking at unplanned expenses for temporary shelter, home repairs or transportation.

“So, the tuition payment deadline has been canceled. Students will now have more time to complete the payment process. We also have a payment plan for those who need to exercise that option,” Bowie said.

The Office of Housing has been working with students to accommodate changing needs for on-campus housing. “All housing reservations are being honored unless canceled by the student. Our goal is to provide on-campus housing to as many students as possible. It may take a few days to sort everything out, but we’re trying to remain as flexible as possible,” he said.

Upperclassman Move-In Day is Saturday, as originally scheduled.

The University has also started a fundraising campaign to make sure that flood-affected students can afford to enroll for the fall semester or remain enrolled.

“Our goal is to help students stay in school and make progress toward a degree,” said �鶹AV President Dr. Joseph Savoie.

Donations made to the University Annual Fund will be used to address the most immediate and urgent financial needs of students. Priority will be given to students whose attendance is at risk because of unexpected expenses associated with catastrophic flooding.

All gifts to the University Annual Fund received by Sept. 30 will directly help students coping with flood-related challenges continue pursuing their educational goals this year.

Donations to the University Annual Fund can be made online, by mail or by phone.

To contribute online, go to

Checks made payable to the �鶹AV Foundation should be mailed to: �鶹AV Foundation, P.O. Box 44290, Lafayette, LA 70504. Please note on the memo line Student Emergency Relief.

Or, call the �鶹AV Foundation at 337-482-0700 to give by credit card.

Bowie said the University is dealing with many flood-related issues on a case-by-case basis.

“We’re trying to help as many students as possible with resources we have available right now. If federal financial assistance becomes available in the future, we’ll make students aware of it,” he said.

Orientation sessions for new students, international students and graduate students remained on track this week, along with a mandatory, two-day Cajun Connection briefing for freshmen. Students who were unable to attend any of those sessions were instructed to get in touch with the University to discuss alternatives.

�鶹AV’s campus did not sustain any significant flood-related damage, according to Bill Crist, director of Facilities Management. “We came through the weekend in very good shape.”

Caption: Student volunteers helped �鶹AV freshmen move into campus residence halls earlier this week.