University students returned to class Monday with fallen trees cleared and power restored on campus.Witnessing only remnants of the destruction Hurricane Gustav caused the University last week, students were abuzz with discussions about the storm, power outages and Saturday classes. “They should extend the calendar by one or two days,” said Rosalie Nguyen, biological engineering junior. “I’d rather that than weekend classes. It’s inconvenient.”In addition to canceling fall break, previously scheduled Oct. 9 and 10, the University announced on Friday that classes missed during the hurricane can be made up at the discretion of individual professors on Sept. 20, Oct. 4, 11 or 18.Nguyen, who lives in an apartment near Nicholson Drive, lost power when Gustav hit Sept. 1 but regained power the next day. With many traffic lights still without power in Baton Rouge, Nguyen said driving is her biggest concern.”Apparently everyone has lost their driving ability,” Nguyen said. “I’ve been terrified to get on the road.”Tiffany Leon, biology freshman, stayed in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina three years ago. During Gustav, she played cards, ate canned food and even stepped outside during the storm to escape the heat of her powerless apartment.”I know [Baton Rouge] got hit more than New Orleans this time, but Katrina was way worse,” Leon said. Leon’s family’s house was without power or water for about a week during Katrina, forcing them to bathe using buckets of water.Rick Hunter, geography instructor, praised the Louisiana community for its preparedness and speedy recovery process.”We’re honing our skills in emergency management,” Hunter said. Hunter said the idea to make up classes on a Saturday is too inconvenient for faculty and students.”Canceling fall break was pragmatic, but the Saturday classes are unnecessary,” he said. “Professors can eliminate the least important information from their lectures. The University should have flexibility to cut down on days instead.”For some students, Gustav was their first hurricane. Greg Blake, English and economics senior from Washington, spent his week off at his apartment in Baton Rouge and his girlfriend’s family home in Mandeville. Although he now has power at his apartment, Blake spent most of the week in the dark.”It was worse because I’m a night owl,” Blake said. “It’s not too much fun at night without electricity.”Blake wasn’t bothered by the cancellation of fall break or the possibility of Saturday classes.”That’s life,” Blake said. “There’s nothing we can do about it. I’d rather students graduate on time.”Christopher Lott, mass communication senior, said his car was crushed by a fallen tree during the storm. Lott’s apartment near State Street hasn’t regained power, but he isn’t complaining.”Everyone’s complaining ‘Oh, we don’t have power.’ We’re just spoiled,” Lott said. “I felt like everyone was stripped of their world view. It was cool.”–—Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]
Students share feelings on storm, Saturday classes
September 7, 2008