Colleges Rally to Help Students
in Louisiana
College of Staten Island
CUNY Opens Doors to “Katrina
Students”
College of Staten Island President Dr. Marlene Springer announced
that CSI will admit immediately any students who had planned
to attend colleges now closed due to Hurricane Katrina. “One
of CSI’s greatest strengths is its total commitment to
students,” Dr. Springer said. “Today, that commitment
goes beyond our campus to students directly affected by Katrina.
Certainly, everyone’s attention is focused on the life
and death issues surrounding the tens of thousands of refugees
from this devastating storm. But in the midst of this catastrophe
it’s easy to forget about students attending storm-ravaged
colleges along the Gulf coast. Those students might not have
lost loved ones or their homes but they have lost their schools.
CSI is reaching out to those students, to the Katrina students,
and offering them an academic home.”
The president noted that the academic logistics might be initially
difficult. “There’s no communication coming out
of these schools,” Dr. Springer said, “and that’s
not likely to change for some time. There are also issues of
registration here at the College. But these are all manageable,
indeed, of only minor significance compared to the moral imperative
to lend a hand. We have the opportunity to do more than express
our sympathy. We can take action. CSI is a senior college in
the CUNY system with a wide array of courses and majors. We
can enroll affected students and work with them to resume their
education during this very difficult time.”
Students affected by Katrina have already contacted CSI and
expressed interest in enrolling. Daniel Lederman from New Springville
is a senior at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he is
majoring in business. “The CSI faculty and staff that
I have spoken with have been very helpful and welcoming,” he
said. “I appreciate the moves taken by CSI and other
institutions across the country. I am considering all of my
options, and I am waiting for more news and comments from Tulane
University before making a decision. My thoughts and concerns
are with the people of New Orleans.”
In addition, CSI is planning a fundraising campaign on campus
to aid communities in storm-damaged areas.#
