It’s been three months since Binghamton University first took in a handful of Tulane University students who had been forced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. Now, at the end of the fall semester, many of these would-be Louisiana residents have come to revel in the BU atmosphere.

Some students may be wondering, now that much of the publicity surrounding the transfers has waned, what these Tulanees are up to. Now fully acclimated to the Binghamton lifestyle, these students have meshed well into the campus community, becoming active in the University’s social offerings and attending classes just as any bona fide Bearcat would.

After what many said was a great experience and worthwhile semester, many students who transferred from Tulane early in the fall have decided to continue their studies here at Binghamton indefinitely.

Eva Bashover, a sophomore neuroscience major and Dallas native, cited academics as her top concern for the time being.

“I’m working really hard,” she said. “I’m pre-med, so I’ve got to study a lot.”

Bashover credited Binghamton’s unique weather for much of her recently stringent work ethic.

“The weather keeps me in my room — something that Tulane didn’t,” she said.

Be that as it may, Bashover still finds time for herself. She joined the University Gymnastics Club and travels off-campus on the weekends in between studying.

Bashover, who generalized back in September that “you like where you are,” seems to like where she is now — so much so that she has decided to remain at Binghamton for as long as she needs to.

“I don’t really have a plan; I’m probably not going back to Tulane,” she said.

Elizabeth Marchionni, a junior philosophy major, shares many of Bashover’s sentiments in remaining a BU student.

“I’ve gotten involved with hall government, met great people… and I’m a lot closer to home.”

Like Bashover, Marchionni notes a change in her priorities since arriving at Binghamton.

“Before, I was a lot more career-oriented… now, I try to enjoy my time here instead of diving into a career path.”

Asked about whether she considers herself a student of Binghamton or Tulane, Marchionni said she “definitely registered for next semester… although, I do have a Tulane Facebook — but then again I was only there for two days.”

Marchionni, whose plans include lifeguarding at the East Gym next semester, hopes to continue her involvement with the University.

Lee Rudin, the freshman business and pre-law major who back in September was appreciative just to be in college at all, is thankful for being able to complete his first semester at Binghamton.

“I had a great time,” said Rudin of his first real college experience. “Everything was really enjoyable.”

Nevertheless, Rudin is excited to return to his first-choice school for his spring semester.

“It took a year to make that decision,” said Rudin of his choice to attend Tulane. “I can’t not go back.”

However, Rudin doesn’t dismiss his time in the Southern Tier, noting that although he’ll be returning to Tulane in January, going to Binghamton “sets you apart from the rest.”

He said he knows more about BU than Tulane.

As for Bashover, the relatively low-key surroundings that Binghamton affords her are all the more reason to stay planted here.

“[New Orleans] is a very distracting city. As much as I love it, I’d rather visit it than go to school there,” she said.