Loyola is offering van transportation service on campus, which has always been available for the student organizations on campus.
Student Life and Ministry Office Manager Elliot Raphel said although this service has been offered, there has been little publicity about it.
Raphael said, in the past, organizations have used the vans for church, service work, conferences, and even to run errands for events.
To rent the vans, students must follow some protocols, which includes paying a $50 daily fee, providing the address, and explaining what their organization is doing beforehand, he said.
Students should fill out the reservation form on HowIConnect. If students email Raphel directly, he will direct them to fill out the form.
According to Raphel, the reservation form has to be filled out no less than a week before the departure date, and if the dates are available, students will receive an email.
“It’s critical to know that the vans are on a first come first serve basis and are currently getting lots of traction,” Raphael said.
Raphel recognizes that the application process may be overwhelming for students, but said ensuring a student is an authorized driver is the most complex part.
Once the application is completed and approved, he said students have to set up a meeting with him, as he goes over rules and expectations that everyone must know, which includes not traveling 150 miles outside of New Orleans.
“Above all, it is within our safety for students here at Loyola on campus to go through these initial steps, and it is very crucial to their well-being,” he said.
After these initial steps are completed, Raphael said he hands over the keys.
Raphael said the student organizations that use the vans regularly have a sense of freedom to make their events successful.
“As a reservation manager, I hope that the students use the resources available,” he said. “Here at Loyola, all students are a priority.”
