Hello, I live in New Orleans and although I can't put people up, I do have some advice. Grad students should try the American Youth Hostel at 2249 -1/2 Carondelet Street, (504) 523-3014. Call ASAP, as I'm sure they fill up fast. This area requires extra caution, especially at night. But this will be true of any affordable hotel in New Orleans. Parts of the city are quite dangerous - If you find a hotel room listed as in the city (versus the distant suburbs) and they're asking for less than $60 a night, something is wrong and you should probably avoid it. Your best bet will be doubling or even quadrupling up in one of the downtown chain motels such as Comfort Suites, Best Western, Hampton Inn, etc. Good luck and please play it safe in an unfamiliar city! Shannon Dawdy University of New Orleans (504)286-6516 [log in to unmask]