September 3, 2005 - Lee, NH

New Hampshire residents who are studying at any of the colleges and universities impacted by Hurricane Katrina this week will be granted non-degree admission at any University System of New Hampshire (USNH) institution this fall.

"Our hearts go out to all of the people whose lives have been profoundly disrupted by this natural disaster," said USNH Chancellor Stephen Reno. "I have been in touch with all our presidents and they have assured me that they will do everything possible to accommodate the needs of New Hampshire students studying at one of the many schools impacted by this disaster."

Staff at the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and Granite State College have already been in contact with some displaced students who want to continue their studies. UNH has enrolled one student who was studying at Loyola University, and Keene State College is working with three former Keene high school students in Louisiana who are considering a return to New Hampshire. USNH institutions are prepared to help students expedite enrollment and provide academic advising, counseling, and orientation for the affected students. Housing may also be available at some locations.

"We have all seen the devastation caused by this storm and the higher education community is doing all that it can to reach out to tens of thousands of students attending college in this region. As a public university system, we have a responsibility to reach out and try to help in this time of need," Chancellor Reno added.

USNH institutions are also working on and supporting humanitarian projects to assist the victims of Hurricane. Some examples include:

University of New Hampshire (UNH)

UNH students are raising money for American Red Cross hurricane disaster relief efforts. The Student Senate and Memorial Union Building (MUB) General Administration began collecting money Tuesday at the MUB Information Desk. The students plan to expand their efforts, which will last two weeks, to the other areas of campus, including the dining halls where students will be able to use their Cats Cache accounts to donate

Other student organizations and classes at UNH, including the Thompson School's Community Service and Leadership program, are planning to support the American Red Cross with disaster relief fund-raising.

Keene State

A campus-wide meeting to discuss fund-raising and relief approaches will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 12:30 p.m. at a venue to be announced in the Student Center. The meeting will be moderated by Corinne Kowpak, vice president for student affairs, and Don Hayes, community services coordinator. For more information, contact Hayes at 358-2665. Members of the public are invited to attend.

A fund-raising effort for victims of the disaster, organized by the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity and the student community service club Circle K, will be held next week, Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 6-7, in the Student Center atrium. Members of these organizations will sell "Wave of Hope" bracelets.

Plymouth State

The student chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) at Plymouth State University is developing a fund raising effort to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tentative plans have been made for all dollars raised to go to the American Red Cross.

According to chapter co-presidents Chris Winters and Chris Gloninger, donations will be solicited from members of the campus community and at donation sites being established in the downtown area.

Contact:

Matthew Cookson
External Affairs
Chancellor's Office
University System of New Hampshire
603-862-0904 (office)
603-767-1247 (cell)