Interview: Dr. Marvalene Hughes, President, Dillard University

From the Special Series "After Katrina: Starting Over in New Orleans"

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine

TBC: Describe your efforts since the hurricane to communicate with students and their parents about the reopening.

Dr. Hughes: Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the University was affected by other weather emergencies including Tropical Storm Cindy and Hurricane Dennis. After Hurricane Katrina, communication was challenging but extremely important. Reopening in New Orleans became our primary focus and I hosted 12 town hall meetings across the USA in November and December (Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Jackson, Birmingham, Atlanta, Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles and Sacramento). These town hall meetings were extremely successful, well-attended and informative. They served as a method to reconnect the students with their families in a manner only face-to-face visits can accomplish. Web messages and frequent updates were also used to maximize communication to students about the reopening.

TBC: How did you and your staff prepare for classes?

Classes began Monday, January 9 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. The staff worked around the clock throughout the holidays to prepare for the students’ arrival. We have been able to rehire about 50 faculty members to ensure that Dillard students are taught by Dillard faculty.

TBC: What are the plans for extracurricular activities including athletics?

There will not be any intercollegiate athletic competition or participation until fall 2006. Students will, however, be engaged in extracurricular activities coordinated by Campus Life as well as activities coordinated through the consortium with Loyola, Tulane and Xavier universities. Students were engaged in activities surrounding the Martin Luther King Week of Peace with the other universities. Additional activities for students include community service, guest lecturers, choir and religious programs.

TBC: What is the most common concern you have heard from students and parents?

Students are [interested in] returning to their home campus on Gentilly Boulevard and graduating under the Avenue of the Oaks. This is a splendid tradition and one the students look forward to each year. Housing was a big concern, but we have been able to accommodate students at the Hilton Hotel.

TBC: What is the enrollment for the spring semester?

Actual spring 2006 enrollment is 1,071 students. This is half the pre-Katrina enrollment and very encouraging given the fact that Dillard is the only university that has not been able to resume operations at our home campus.

TBC: How long do you think it will take for the university to regain its previous enrollment numbers?

We are actively recruiting for the fall 2006 semester and have received more than 600 applications already. It is too early to project how soon we will be able to return to the pre-Katrina enrollment of 2,200 students. Strategic planning will help to determine the right number for enrollment over the next 5-10 years. The spring enrollment numbers are very impressive. Dillard is the only university in New Orleans that was not able to return to its home campus this semester. To compare post-Katrina enrollment to the other universities that have reopened in the city is not an accurate comparison.

TBC: What are some of the issues related to grants and federal aid?

Students who attended other universities in fall 2005 may not have enough federal financial aid to complete both 13-week spring semesters. Conversations continue with federal agencies regarding the University’s responsibilities for funds already received as well as pending funds. The University is in compliance with all federally received grants. Fundraising has been very promising and we are all very grateful for the support we have received nationally from friends of Dillard.

TBC: Have you had any major problems with insurers?

Our insurers have been very helpful. Each day we make progress toward better assessing our damage and costs associated with rebuilding our historic campus to a level that meets and exceeds the needs of our students, faculty and staff into the foreseeable future.

TBC: How many faculty members are returning?

Pre-Katrina—144 faculty; spring 2006—85 faculty. We have been able to retain most of the teacher/scholars who are dedicated to teaching and advising our wonderful students. The growth in enrollment may afford us the opportunity to continue to grow the faculty.

TBC: What are your plans for recruiting students for next year’s freshman class? Are there any entering freshmen in the spring semester?

The admissions staff is actively recruiting; attending college fairs across the country. There are 11 new students in the spring class. We have seen firsthand that the attraction to Dillard was not necessarily the city of New Orleans alone, but a combination of the excellent academic programs, the dedication of the faculty and staff to excellence, and the cultural offerings in New Orleans.

TBC: Do you feel that anything positive resulted from the disaster?

Dillard will be a vital part of the rebuilding of New Orleans and will play a substantial role in the economic recovery of the Gentilly community and the New Orleans economy. The hurricane also allowed us to form partnerships with other universities in New Orleans as well as across the USA. The consortium with Loyola, Tulane and Xavier is a shining example of the effectiveness of collaborating. The awareness of Dillard University has grown substantially as a result of the devastation caused to our campus. Dillard has been educating students for 137 years and we are truly dedicated to our longstanding mission.

TBC: Overall, how are things going at the hotel? Are students and faculty adjusting to the arrangement?

The hotel staff has accommodated our requests without hesitation. Students, faculty and staff are adjusting well to this temporary facility. The Hilton allows us to operate in a self-contained living/learning environment. This is an advantage for our students and an opportunity for faculty and staff to create and implement unique solutions to any situation that may arise.

TBC: Did any of your students, faculty or staff lose their lives during the hurricane or aftermath?

We were able to successfully evacuate all students, and there were no fatalities before, during or after the hurricane. One student died in an unrelated automobile accident.

This article appears in the February 2006 Second Semester Super Issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine [Blackcollegian.com], now celebrating its 35th anniversary of publication and serving the needs of students of color.  The February Super Issue will as always be distributed free at career offices on college campuses nationwide, and include a special section, "After Katrina: Starting Over in New Orleans," presented through a special collaboration with Black College Wire [Blackcollegwire.org].