The city of Houston, which is about 50 miles inland, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew every night this week until Saturday morning to not only discourage looters, but also to reduce danger from inoperable or downed traffic lights.
Anticipating the worst, most universities and community colleges in the area cancelled classes, events and closed business offices last Friday or earlier.
Hurricane Ike arrived less than two weeks after Hurricane Gustav struck Louisiana’s coast. Universities in New Orleans and elsewhere in the state cancelled classes for several days and, in some cases, evacuated students prior to the storm’s arrival.
Classes and business operations soon resumed post-Gustav. But the emotional impact of natural disasters was apparent in remarks published on university Web sites by campus leaders, such as Dr. Marvalene Hughes, Dillard University president. On Sept.3, while she and other officials awaited restoration of power on campus, she reflected on "the strength of the people who are part of this ... the strong resilience of our community ... and the humanity of our survival."
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