Some of these donations have come from this current trip that the alumni department of Loyola is leading. Since the hurricane left school officials displaced, they decided to travel to each of the 30 Loyola alumni chapters across the country.
"We've invited alumni, parents, and students to give them the opportunity to address questions and make donations for the relief campaign," said Edward D'Antoni, director of alumni relations for Loyola University.
One of the highlights of the trip around the nation was at the University of Houston, D'Antoni said. The school agreed to house the law school while Loyola recovered, one of the many acts of outreach that Loyola experienced in the aftermath of Katrina.
"The response has been phenomenal," said Frances Coolidge, chair of the department of philosophy at Loyola University. Coolidge was given an office at the College of the Holy Cross to continue working after his home office in New Orleans was demolished. He said that he expects his family to return home in the near future.
Carol Vega, a Walpole, Mass. native and mother of a Loyola student currently studying at American University, said her daughter is looking forward to returning to New Orleans. She said American University offered to let her daughter stay for the spring semester, but she declined, wanting to return to Loyola.
"She wants to get back as soon as possible," said Vega. "She wants to help rebuild."
Most students will be returning to Loyola for next semester, unless they officially transfer to the college at which they are currently studying. Nicole Waivers, a Loyola junior studying at BC, said she is still unsure whether she will go back to New Orleans. "It's been great," she said. "It's different, but it's been fun because it is different."
One mother asked Wildes why Loyola won't give students the option to stay for another semester at their respective schools. He responded by saying that it is the mission of the university to bring their students back as soon as it is safe. "We are a university, and part of what makes it work is having students and staff on campus," he said.
Other schools in the area, such as Xavier University or Dillard College, were hit much harder by the hurricane, and many of their buildings will not be repaired by next semester.
In an effort to maintain a sense of community, Wildes said Loyola will offer their facilities to professors from Xavier or Dillard when they are not in use.
After Wildes spoke, a short film was shown that described the experience of Loyola students at BC.
Spring Break
