After graduating high school, Emily Eckert was looking forward to going to college at Tulane University in New Orleans.
"I was so excited to go to Tulane," said Eckert, a freshman undecided major. "The city was so different than anything I have ever seen. The first time I saw the Tulane campus, I thought everything was just so beautiful."
For students like Eckert who were looking forward to attending Tulane in the fall, their excitement soon turned to fear after news of a hurricane warning. Now a temporary student at UB until her school can reopen amid the destruction of Katrina, Eckert and others are reflecting on the tragedy.
"After I moved all of my things into my dorm room I was told to evacuate," Eckert said. "I had spent a total of four hours at Tulane. I grabbed a bag of my most important belongings and evacuated the area."
Eckert, as well as thousands of other students, left Tulane with every intention of returning the next day.
"I was scheduled to move in on Monday-the day Katrina hit," said Nathan Caughel, who spent two years at Tulane, but is now a student at UB. "I was called two days prior to the hurricane and I learned that everyone had to evacuate."
According to Caughel, a junior electrical engineering major, he had to evacuate in the past for Hurricane Ivan.
"I had a week off of school, there was light flooding, but nothing serious," Caughel said.
"New Orleans has had many hurricane threats in the past," Eckert said. "I thought it was no big deal."
What many thought would be no big deal quickly turned into one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. Hurricane Katrina swept over the Gulf Coast affecting countless lives and killing thousands.
Warde Manuel, the new athletics director UB, has family in New Orleans.
"My parents, my sister, and her family live in the area," Manuel said. "I was very worried for their health and safety."
Fortunately, his family survived the hurricane. Their houses, however, have taken a beating from Katrina.
"Their houses have been severely damaged," Manuel said.
Warde lived in New Orleans as a child and hurricanes were a regular occurrence.
"Hurricanes have affected Florida and the areas around the Gulf for a long time," Manuel said. "No one imagined something like this would happen. I don't know what will happen to the city."
Catherine Rowan, a junior exercise science major, moved out of her home in New Orleans a week before Hurricane Katrina struck, after living along the west bank of the Mississippi river for three years.
Rowan, a member of the women's swim team, said she believes her old house is still left standing.
"One of my friends lost her house to Hurricane Katrina," Rowan said. "Her house is completely gone."
As a result of the hurricane, Tulane and many other schools in the area closed, leaving thousands of students displaced.
Both Eckert and Caughel, Buffalo natives, have now found themselves temporarily enrolled at UB for the fall semester anxiously awaiting Tulane to reopen in the spring.
"Tulane is so different than UB, I really miss it," Caughel said.
"UB has been great to me," Eckert said. "The administration has been really helpful, but I can't wait to go back."
Not only has Caughel had to transfer, but he also had to drop from full-time student status.
"Gas prices are outrageous," Caughel said. "The prices forced me to go to school part-time because I am a commuter."
Considered temporary UB students, both Eckert and Caughel are required to continue paying Tulane tuition.
"I think it is ridiculous that Tulane is trying to charge me for tuition," Caughel said.
The hurricane left Tulane standing, but there has been light damage to the campus.
"The school can't open until the city opens, which I believe is Oct. 3," Caughel said.
According to Eckert and Caughel, their belongings at Tulane will not be returned to them until the school opens.
"I am treating the issue as if my things are gone for good," Caughel said.
Meanwhile, Rowan has taken an active role in the hurricane relief efforts. Many fundraising attempts have been made, but according to Rowan, the efforts are moving very slowly.
"I have gotten a lot of no's from people regarding fundraising," Rowan said. "I want people to know that every little bit helps."
Even though the hurricane hit New Orleans and other areas, UB is feeling some of the effects.
"If you own a car you will be affected," Rowan said. "The oil refineries have drastically decreased."
According to Warde, it may be tough for students to relate to the tragedy.
"I think people will be more effected if they have ever traveled to that area," Manuel said. "These are citizens of the U.S., we have to continue to support them now and in the future."
