In the wake of a relatively expedited power restoration process, schools across south Louisiana are announcing reopening plans—among them, the nation’s Catholic HBCU, Xavier University of Louisiana.
Students will be allowed to return on September 12th, campus will officially reopen the next day, and in-person learning will begin a week later, on September 20th.
The historic New Orleans institution announced the news on social media Tuesday afternoon, the same day virtual classes commenced following Labor Day weekend.
‼️Update: Xavier University of Louisiana will reopen campus on Monday, September 13th. #XULA pic.twitter.com/EKFDZnSm8b
— Xavier Univ. of LA (@XULA1925) September 7, 2021
The university has been closed since the weekend of Hurricane Ida, which has claimed lives and infrastructure all along the Gulf and East Coasts, as well as parts of the Midwest, since it made landfall stateside on August 29th as one of the most powerful storms in US history.
Students who remained on XULA’s campus during the storm were relocated to Dallas on August 31st, after which the school’s recovery process began in earnest.
XULA’s president, Dr. C. Reynold Verret, posted a message of encouragement on September 3rd.
We thank you for your prayers and outpouring of love. Your support, the protection of Mother Katharine, and the grace of God have helped us weather this storm. May all stay safe as we restore our community and spirits. https://t.co/IdBujckYEh
— Pres. Reynold Verret (@XULApres) September 3, 2021
The school, which like most of the city lost power during the storm, began to regain electricity that same day, kickstarting cleanup and repair efforts that were ongoing as of September 5th.
On Monday, plans were announced for a learning hub in the campus’ Convocation Center, which became available to students beginning this morning as many parts of the city remain without power.
‼️Update: Xavier University of Louisiana will open the Convocation Center as a study and learning center for Xavier students providing access to electricity and Wi-Fi service.
— Xavier Univ. of LA (@XULA1925) September 6, 2021
The center will be open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning tomorrow.#XULA pic.twitter.com/HnMfQJO5Os
As evacuated students now make their way back to the Crescent City, and others return more locally to campus under nevertheless challenging circumstances, the school has encouraged those in need to apply for emergency grants.
XULA is also encouraging supporters to contribute to their Emergency Disaster Relief Fund.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger, a seminarian with the Josephites, and a ThM student with the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA).
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