Most could not fathom the thought of transferring to a different college after attending for only one day. But, as Hurricane Katrina made her path for Louisiana, Tulane University freshman Robert Myers, 17, of Newport, Tenn., was bused out of New Orleans after being on Tulane’s campus for only six hours.

Myers, who attended the Governor’s School for the Humanities program at UTM in 2004, is one of many college students having to adjust his collegiate plans after Hurricane Katrina devestated much of Louisiana and Mississippi.

When Myers arrived on Tulane’s campus, he and other students knew a hurricane was in the making, but they did not think it was supposed to hit New Orleans. Their freshmen move-in-day plans were soon changed.

“We had to evacuate. All of the freshmen were put on buses and taken to Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. We could carry with us only what we could fit on our lap,” Myers said. Myers took a couple changes of clothes, some toiletry items and his cell phone. All of the students’ other possessions, such as computers, are still in New Orleans.

When the students arrived at Jackson State University they were all put in the gymnasium. Each of them was given a pillow and a blanket. The gymnasium became the five-day home for several Tulane students as they waited out the hurricane.

“At first we thought it was going to be pretty neat. We were going to be gone with all the freshmen for a few days and have a great story to tell,” Myers said. But when the hurricane changed to a Category 5, Myers and others then knew that it was going to be bad.

“It was like shock and awe. I kept thinking, this is like a dream, but in a very bad way,” Myers said. “Some people were very emotional, some people absolutely lost it. They went hysterical. People had parents that were still in New Orleans and other places the hurricane was hitting,” Myers said.

The hysteria that was building was not helped any by what would come next. The electricity went out and the water stopped working. Cell phone communication was no longer an option either. Myers says that all of the students in the gym made it through the storm safely and that they were very fortunate. “We were never really in danger. We got out in time. We are really lucky. It was only material stuff that we lost. We are so lucky,” Myers said.

Myers is now back in Tennessee and is spending the Labor Day weekend looking at other colleges to attend because Tulane has cancelled classes for at least the fall semester. He says his top two choices right now are Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Through an offer announced by Gov. Phil Bredesen, the UT System and the Tennessee Board of Regions institutions are doing their part to help students like Myers continue their education. These schools are accepting students who were displaced by the hurricane and in some cases, at no cost to the students.

UTM will be accepting 50 students and has available housing for 25. Director of UTM Admissions Judy Rayburn told The Pacer on Thursday that at least five students displaced by the hurricane have asked about attending UTM and at least one campus tour has already been conducted.

Eligible students will not pay for tuition or housing to attend the state schools in Tennessee if they have already paid tuition and housing costs at their schools.

“Not only is this the right thing to do to assist students enrolled in colleges and universities in the states affected by the hurricane, it also is an excellent example for students to see first-hand how important it is to give back to their communities and be supportive of the humanitarian efforts,” said UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan. “All of us have seen the devastation, and this is a small way we can help provide assistance to displaced students.”

Myers isn’t sure whether he will go back to Tulane or complete his bachelor’s degree in Tennessee. But regardless of where he continues his education, Myers has a story to tell that he will likely never forget. But even after experiencing the hurricane first-hand, Myers like many other Americans, wants to do what he can to help out those who were not as fortunate as he was.

“I’m not sure if I am going to transfer back to Tulane. I will have to see how I feel later, but I kind of feel obligated to go back and help them out.”