The first year of law school can be a grueling challenge under everyday circumstances. But law student Paul Tassin of New Orleans, La., faced an additional obstacle this year – Hurricane Katrina.
Tassin had completed about one week of classes at Loyola University in New Orleans when Mayor Ray Nagin announced that residents should evacuate.
Equipped with a laptop, a tent and a few changes of clothing, Tassin headed for Jackson, N.C. as the storm approached. He left behind his apartment, a truck and the start of his law school career.
“I just evacuated with no particular idea where I’d go,” he said.
Now he is now admitted to the University, joining 29 other students displaced by Katrina who may complete at least part of the 2005-06 school year here, said Martha Pitts, director of admissions for the University.
Tassin, who plans to study environmental law, hadn’t considered applying to the University or been to Eugene before his recent relocation. He decided to attend the University while searching for schools after the storm.
“All the time I’m checking my e-mail looking for schools taking first-year law students,” he said.
Seeing Katrina’s effect on New Orleans has increased his interest in environmental law.
“I feel like I have personal incentive to get involved more deeply in that field,” he said.
The storm’s damage wasn’t a complete surprise, he said.
“What happened was foreseen by a lot of people, myself included,” he said. “It wasn’t really much unexpected.”
Since arriving in Eugene, Tassin has received a “king’s ransom,” he said. A local man, who Tassin said wished to remain anonymous, gave him an apartment, furniture, groceries and a bike to ride.
“Everything I really need has been taken care of,” he said.
His family also relocated safely to Arizona.
Tassin described University students as curious and concerned about his well-being, but he said he has experienced feelings of guilt for escaping so easily.
Katrina has reminded Tassin about things he liked and disliked about New Orleans, things that he didn’t remember until he had to “watch it be almost destroyed from far away.”
Tassin plans to spend most of his waking hours studying. Changing schools during the academic year will motivate him to succeed, he said.
“I’ve always felt I’ve done the very, very best I can do under normal circumstances,” he said. “This has motivated me for one to get in the groove and work as hard as I can.”
Tassin’s move has brought him closer to his girlfriend, who lives in Napa, Calif. He plans to go hiking and enjoy some of Eugene’s outdoor opportunities with her on Sunday.
He said he may be open to resettling in Eugene because he isn’t sure when Loyola and the city of New Orleans will be operational and because he has received such a warm welcome, he said.

[email protected]