KATRINA RESPONSE

Over the past two weeks, I have been updating you, via CU Official, concerning what the University has been doing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The University has worked very hard to accommodate the needs of displaced students from New Orleans. To that end, we have admitted 60 undergraduate students as “visitors” for the fall semester. Of these, 55 students are from Loyola University in New Orleans, four are from Tulane University and one student is from the University of New Orleans. Eighteen of these students are from the Omaha area. These students represent 17 freshmen, 27 sophomores, 10 juniors and six seniors. One additional student is enrolled in the law school.

All of these students are housed in Creighton residence halls, the Park Inn (30th Street) or with family and friends.

The University hosted a welcoming dinner, program and orientation last week. Our newest students appear to be grateful and pleased to be at Creighton. They have all commented on the “warm welcome they have received.” Thank you all for that!

I also extend a big thank you to all of our colleagues in Admissions, Financial Aid, University College, Residence Life, Student Services, and Academic Affairs for going above and beyond the call of duty to make this transition as seamless as possible. As I said in an earlier note, their actions bring the Creighton mission to life.

Over the weekend, when some 166 evacuees arrived in Omaha, the Salvation Army called upon the Creighton community to assist in serving meals at the Civic Auditorium. For three mornings, Creighton students from the Cortina Community and the Creighton Center for Service and Justice assisted in this capacity. Please extend a big thank you to them as well.

I also am aware that many, many of our staff and faculty, as well as students, have contributed to the charities of their choice and provided service where needed. I simply bring an additional opportunity to your attention:

Creighton has established the Creighton Katrina Student Fund to assist those students coming to study at Creighton from colleges and universities adversely affected by the hurricane. To donate, visit http://www2.creighton.edu/development.

Countless student groups have raised funds for hurricane support; to name but a few — from Gallagher Hall’s ice cream social, to the first-year dental students’ food drive, to the Pan-Hellenic and Interfraternity Councils’ BBQ, and fundraisers organized by the Pharmacy and Health Professions student government and the Inter Residence Hall Government. Again, thank you all for the way you responded to this tragedy of biblical proportions.

ADMISSIONS AND "RECORD" ENROLLMENT

The year got off to a great start. We welcomed one of our largest first-year classes ever — 976 first-time students and 110 transfer students. This is the most academically talented class ever; their academic profile places them in the top eight Catholic institutions in the country. A little more than 18.3 percent were from under-represented groups. Additionally, we realized a 5 percent increase in male students and a 3.9 percent increase in female enrollment.

Because of solid retention and larger classes working their way through the University, Creighton will record the largest enrollment ever! For fall 2005, we will have an enrollment of 6,804. This represents a 1.2 percent enrollment increase and a 4.4 percent increase in full-time enrollment. Again, congratulations and thank you to the staffs of Enrollment Management and Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Services.

As Don Bishop wrote to me: “The quality of the freshman class in both academic profile as well as geographic, gender, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity continues to rise. Creighton is becoming a stronger, more diverse and interesting place due to these enrollment outcomes. The public has begun to recognize Creighton as a more national university that is also an academically and a financially successful place. The new construction, as well as the completed projects, has created a very nice sense of momentum that has amplified the successes in enrollments.”

Again, congratulations and thanks to all involved.

There remains much to be said about parking, construction projects, academic and research successes, as well as alumni events, fundraising efforts and athletic updates. They all must wait for the next President's Update because I wanted this present update to be as timely as possible.

By way of closure, I again ask you to keep in your prayers the casualties of Hurricane Katrina — both living and dead. We are a most blessed enterprise and community.

More later; keep up the good work!

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President