Abstract

Hurricane Katrina shut down nine colleges and universities in the New Orleans area right at the beginning of the fall 2005 semester, as students, faculty, and staff scattered across the country. Despite often severe damage from flooding, fires, and wind, all nine institutions reopened the following January, sometimes using FEMA trailers, hotels, and cruise ships to replace damaged buildings and lost housing. The stories of these campuses since Katrina are dominated by themes of loss, resilience, ingenuity, conflict, and renewed senses of mission and community.