I transferred from University of Houston expecting opportunity and stability, but instead found a campus operating in harsh temporary conditions
“After Hurricane Katrina, I had to evacuate to Houston with my family. Then, I learned that we were reopening. So, I transferred from University of Houston expecting opportunity and stability, but instead found a campus operating in harsh temporary conditions — white tents with loud fans, the smell of death still on the air, trailer park city at the Lakefront Arena, worn-out facilities, and business school chairs with exposed coil springs. While it seemed like recovery resources were flowing to Louisiana State University, students like me were left feeling overlooked and frustrated, wondering why I had left a better situation behind. I feel like the population of students, faculty, and staff members who decided to return should have been recognized with some distinction. We literally watched the campus return to some sort of new normal, in spite of comfort and decency. Memories like that never fade away.
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