By Jaci Schneider, Copy Editor

Two students began classes Monday, only three weeks late. The students-a freshman exercise science major and a senior pre-med major-transferred from Tulane University in New Orleans after the university closed for the semester.

After severe flooding shut down Tulane’s campus and the city of New Orleans, universities all over the country stepped in to receive displaced students.

Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said Rice University in Houston first began accepting Tulane students because the two universities are sister schools, and soon other schools in Texas began taking students as well.

“Of course, we were very willing to also accept those students,” Barnard said. “I think it’s great that we’re part of the universities that gave students a place to come.”

ACU announced the enrollment option Sept. 1, and gave students until last Friday to apply.

“We weren’t aware at the time how many would come,” Barnard said.

The university worked with each student individually to figure out financial aid, Barnard said. But the state was also involved in the process.

Robert Heil, director of enrollment operations; Dr. Tom Winter, professor of social work and assistant provost; Dr. Michelle Morris, vice president for University Relations; and Barnard worked with the Registrar’s Office to coordinate the transfers.

Barnard said the students who chose to transfer to this university probably already had a connection.

The students are required to follow the same requirements as the rest of the student body, Barnard said, which includes Chapel attendance.

Although the students are a few weeks behind in their classes, Barnard said their professors are working with them to catch up, and, according to the Tulane University Web site, the university will accept transfer credits from ACU, as long as students receive a passing grade.

“We’re certainly willing for ACU to be a place for these students to go to school,” Barnard said. “We’re happy to provide them with a place to come.”