Maroon

              A LOYOLA TRADITION SINCE 1 923 • "FOR A GREATER LOYOLA" THE MAROON FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2006 H TTP://M AROON.LOYN O.EDI VOL. 84, NO. 11 Study shows effects of storm By Lindsey Netherly Staff writer More than one-fourth of New Orleans college students had a family member, significant other or close friend who was missing during or after the hurricane, according to a survey of Loyola, Xavier and UNO students conducted this fall. About nine percent of students had family members, significant others or close friends who lost their lives. The results of that survey have been compiled into a report titled: 'The Other Diaspora: New Orleans Student Evacuation Impacts and Responses Surrounding Hurricane Katrina." Anthony E. Ladd, associate professor of sociology at Loyola, authored the study with John Marszalek of Xavier University and Duane A. Gill of Mississippi State University. The research findings were divided into eight sections: sample demographics; evacuation and storm experiences; economic impacts and losses; government and institutional disaster response; medical impacts; mental health impacts; academic concerns and relocated university experiences; and the need for university services after returning to the New Orleans university. The study showed that a significant percentage of those surveyed had close relationships with those who were in the direst of situations during the city's collapse. Almost a third of students, 29.8 percent, had a family member, significant other or friend who was forced to take shelter in either the New Orleans Superdome or the Convention Center. Besides the emotional toll of Katrina, students also reported considerable material losses. More than 80 percent of students had their on- or off-campus residence damaged, and 40.8 percent said, as of November 2005, that they were unable to continue living in that place of residence.A majority of students, 84.6 percent, reported that they incurred some financial loss, and more than onethird, 39.4 percent, reported that they lost their jobs as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Medical complaints were a noteworthy part of the disaster's effect. Twenty-three percent of students reported seeing a doctor or health care provider as a result of the hurricane. About one-half of students reported experiencing the following physical symptoms more than usual since the hurricane: fatigue, 51 percent; headaches, 47.1 percent and sleeping Candidates debate renewal By Naomi King Senior Staff writer CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS Seven of the eight candidates for the New Orleans City Council District A seat debated for more than two hours Monday night at Loyola's Nunemaker auditorium, leaving audience members with one unanswered question: Where does the incumbent Jay Batt stand on these issues? City Councilmember Jay Batt did not attend the forum because he was sick, according to Loyola Public Affairs. Batt was not able to be reached for this article. Few students attended the debate, which touched on a wide range of issues affecting the diverse district that includes part of Uptown and Lakeview. With such a spectrum of damaged communities, the candidates focused on everything, including programs for dealing with blighted property, public education reform, insurance company manipulation, trash pickup and maintaining historical preservation while rebuilding. The two youngest candidates, Independents David Nowak, 22, and Sonia Gupta, 25, fielded questions alongside the other five candidates: Democrat Shelley Stephenson Midura, Republicans Tom Wagner and Sal Palmisano, and Independents Ray Landeche and Stephen Saussy. All the candidates agreed on issues regarding elimination of corruption and incompetence in city council, reform of city government and the importance of communities in planning neighborhoods.Gupta, a second-year law student, joined the city council race on a zerodollar campaign and the image of New Orleans as a family. At the debate, Gupta listed her top three priorities as federal government accountability with the levee system, a city-wide charter school system and tackling crime and poverty. A first-time candidate for public office, Gupta said her age is not an issue. Instead of the trend of cornipt politicians, she said elected officials should return to being public servants, serving the people instead of themselves.Nowak, a self-described "progressiveSTAFF PHOTO BY STEVE KASHISHIAN New Orleans City Council District A candidates Sonia Gupta, Ray Landeche and Sal Palmisano participated in a public debate along with other candidates Shelley Stephenson Midura, David Nowak, Stephen Saussy and Tom Wagner on Monday in Nunemaker Auditorium. Class of 2010 to be smaller, just as qualified By K*Uy Brown Senior Staff writer Although the Office of Admissions has no definite numbers for incoming freshmen, Dean of Admissions Debbie Stieffel said that she is confident that Loyola will have a smaller but dedicated class. "We're sticking by our standards," she said. "I feel good about the quality of this class. When I look at the quality, it mirrors that of last year's class." Last year's freshmen class of 991 was the largest — and best qualifiedqualified — in Loyola's history, according to Stieffel. While the university would normally have a full class by now, Stieffel said that the storm pushed back admissions' usual time frame. "In past years, we've been able to stop seeking at this point," she said, adding that by May 1, the department usually has a clear picture of who will be attending. "It's just kind of a different year for all of us ... looking at this year versus last year is like comparing apples and oranges," she said. Last year, Loyola received more than 3,000 applications; this year that number is hovering around 2,800, and Stieffel predicts a class of 700. She said that mail service in New Orleans has caused huge problems for the department. "We normally get a large percentage of applications through business-reply mail, but when we got back to campus in November, there were only three bins of mail for us and no applications," she said. "I also know that last week, we got five pieces of business-reply mail postmarked in October and November." Because mail in New Orleans is still unreliable months after the storm, admissions will launch a Web site for admitted students, "hopefully by the end of this week," said Stieffel. The Web site, which allows incoming or prospective students to fill out all necessary forms electronically, will also have aspects of an "online community" where students can fill out profiles, read blogs and chat with students. Most students applauded the decision to select a smaller class that's up to Loyola's standards in past See DEBATE, page 2 See CLASS, page 3 See STUDY, page 3 LIFE & TIMES And you thought your job was strange? page 6 MAROON DIRECTORY: CALENDAR, page 2 • OPINION, page 4 • LIFE & TIMES, page 6 • SPORTS, page 10