MEDIA ADVISORY (9/14/04)
Contact: Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 318-869-5120

Dillard Students Head to Centenary to Wait Out Hurricane Ivan

The following is a statement from President Kenneth L. Schwab to the Centenary community today (9-14-04)

"I have spoken this morning with Dr. Betty Parker Smith, who is the interim president of our sister institution, Dillard University in New Orleans. Due to the threat of Hurricane Ivan, Dillard will shut down at noon today. Many of its international students and others will board three leased buses and travel to our campus, where they will be housed until it is safe to return. Dr. Smith reported that traffic is extremely heavy in the New Orleans area and it will likely take longer than the usual five- to six-hour trip. One of the several Dillard officials traveling with the students will be calling us with reports along the way. The first report indicates an arrival time of about 8:30 tonight.

"The Dillard students will be staying in the Fitness Center and eating breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Dining Hall. Dillard is also a Sodexho campus, which has helped with the food service arrangements. The South Dining Hall will be opened to accommodate all diners.

"For the Fitness Center accommodations, Facilities Services is working to lay the Gold Dome carpeting over the gym floor and DPS is working to secure cots. The Dillard visitors will also have access to computers in the Fitness Center and the Library in order to email their families.

" Additional directional signs are also being placed around campus. Televisions will be available in the Fitness Center lounge and the Student Union Building for storm news.

"Please be aware of the presence of the Dillard students on our campus and take a moment to welcome them or provide them with directions or assistance as needed. We are hopeful that this will turn out to be simply a precautionary visit and that Ivan will spare their campus."

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