January 23, 2006

 

 

      The start of classes scheduled for Jan. 30 is rapidly approaching.  Unfortunately, electrical power has not yet been restored to the Chemical Sciences Building.  Also, minor mold remediation is the CSB is in progress.  All faculty, staff, postdoctoral research associates, and teaching assistants assigned to the New Orleans campus for the Spring Semester are expected to report for work as soon as the Chemical Sciences Building is reopened.   Everyone should therefore check their email frequently for updates on the building status.  There will be much work to do to prepare the teaching labs for the Spring Semester, so everyone will be expected to participate.

 

      For those who need help with housing, be aware that the Faculty/Staff FEMA trailers to be located on the East Campus are not expected to be available until the end of March, and the Student FEMA trailers to be located on the Main Campus are not expected to be available until the end of February.  The University is attempting to locate hotel rooms for faculty and staff (including teaching assistants) for anyone who has applied for a UNO FEMA trailer and needs housing until the trailers are available.  Please contact me immediately (if you have not already done so) if you have applied for a UNO FEMA trailer and need housing assistance until the trailers are available.

  

      Let me welcome everyone back to the reopening of UNO.  Life is slowly returning to normal in the New Orleans metro area.  Public bus service is available to UNO, but caution must be employed when driving in the area.  Many traffic lights have been replaced with stop signs, and much debris remains in the streets (I have already destroyed one tire).  There are many challenges, but with your help we will have a successful Spring Semester.

 

Ed Stevens, Chair

Department of Chemistry