Philadelphia Residents Attending New Orleans Colleges

Many college students who were to attend New Orleans colleges and universities are now in the position that they will be seeking alternative schools to attend with little time to organize. The University of Pennsylvania (PENN in Philadelphia) is offering up to 100 academically qualified Philadelphia residents enrolled in colleges and universities in the Hurricaine Katrina stricken areas a generous opportunity. I have taken the liberty to publish the email distributed by the university. I would hope that other colleges and universities throughout the country would offer similar opportunities to their state's residents who also were enrolled in hurricaine stricken areas schools.

From: Combined Faculty Staff Student Emails on behalf of University Notification
Sent: Thu 9/1/2005 5:31 PM

Subject: Penn Response to Hurricane Katrina
TO: The Penn Community
FROM: President, Dr. Amy Gutmann

The University of Pennsylvania stands with the nation in mourning thevictims of terrible tragedy in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.We are committed to finding solutions to help the survivors rediscoverhope and rebuild shattered lives. To that end, we will offeracademically-qualified Philadelphia-area undergraduates enrolled atcolleges and universities in hurricane stricken areas the opportunity totake fall semester classes at Penn on a space-available basis.

In addition, Penn faculty and staff interested in serving as volunteerswith the organizations involved in hurricane relief efforts may be givenup to three weeks of paid time off.We are driven by our belief that it is important to offer students fromthe Philadelphia area as much continuity as we can until they can resumestudies at their home institution. In addition, many of our faculty andstaff have expressed interest in volunteering their services in NewOrleans and other areas needing assistance.

We expect to be able to accommodate as many as 100 undergraduate students.In addition, graduate and professional students will be considered on anindividual basis, depending on available space.Penn will not be charging tuition to the displaced students, insteadallowing tuition dollars to continue to be directed towards the studentshome school. If students have already paid their fall semester tuitionto another college or university, Penn will provide available space inclasses at no additional cost and will work with students to assure theyremain eligible for federal financial aid.

Students seeking to enroll in the emergency program should contact theCollege of General Studies at 215-573-4338.Campus housing is already full and will not be available to the additionalstudents. The expectation is that the emergency program would serve students within commuting distance. At the end of the fall semester, Pennwill give students in the program transcripts for the courses theycomplete.As they become available, additional details will be posted at:http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/hurricane.php

Sincerely,
Dr. Amy Gutmann