When New Orleans junior Bob Murrell left Tulane University after Hurricane Katrina hit, he experienced the Midwest and life outside a big city for the first time ? and he did not like it much.

Although Murrell, a computer science major, will return to Tulane next semester, he plans to come back to MU next fall because Tulane's engineering school is closing. Computer science is part of the engineering schools on both campuses.

Murrell is one of 31 students from Southern schools affected by Hurricane Katrina who attended MU this semester, said MU spokesman Christian Basi. So far, four have indicated they will return to MU next semester, he said.

Junior Michelle Tanner, another former Tulane student, will stay for a different reason: ?My parents didn't feel comfortable with me going back down to New Orleans,? she said.

Murrell said he is heading home just for the semester because he wants to be there for Mardi Gras and his 21st birthday in February and because he has not seen his family since July. In addition to the computer science program, MU's ROTC program will draw him back next fall because he likes the officers and can live on campus with other ROTC students.

Students who return to MU will have to pay tuition and other applicable fees. Last semester, their tuition and living expenses were waived at MU and many other schools across the country.

The students displaced by the hurricane noted differences between MU and their home schools ? for example, class sizes, types of tests, the atmosphere on a bigger campus, Midwestern culture and the large role fraternities and sororities play at MU.

?The Greek organizations have a way bigger role here than at Tulane,? Tanner said. She said she was in a sorority at Tulane and is considering joining one at MU because it would be a good way for her to get more involved.

Sit's least favorite thing about MU was not being able to register for the classes he needed. Because MU did not have his records, Sit had to get course overrides for every class he wanted to take.

Although the students going back to their schools in the South say they are excited about being back with their friends, some are a little sad about leaving the new friends they met at MU.

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