Tropical Storm Gustav Cancels Classes

Tropical Storm Gustav has forced more than a half-dozen colleges in Louisiana to close today, with some New Orleans schools planning to stay closed until next Thursday.

Tulane University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Southern University-New Orleans all canceled Friday afternoon classes and plan to restart classes Thursday. Delgado Community College plans to reopen Wednesday, and McNeese State University near the western Louisiana border hasn't confirmed a reopening date. Loyola University New Orleans will resume classes Tuesday via the Internet, using its Web-based Blackboard Learning System. On-campus classes will start on Thursday.

Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge did not cancel classes today but won't be in session Tuesday. Because of concerns over evacuation traffic and police manpower shortages, school officials and the governor's office decided to move LSU's season opener against Appalachian State on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. CDT.