SARA ROSNER
Staff Writer
New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina (Photo courtesy Bill Harber/Associated Press)
As the nation reaches out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Pepperdine began opening its arms to displaced students from Tulane, Loyola and Dillard universities on last Thursday. There are 12 of these students enrolled for classes at Seaver and more may be expected. Of the 12, eight students are living on campus, according to Dean of Admissions Paul Long.
Students from these Louisiana universities began arriving as part of Pepperdine’s Hurricane Katrina Student Assistance Program. According to Provost Darryl Tippens, the program was created in response to the crisis and closure of several higher learning institutions.
“Word came in very early that students needed a place to go and we made it happen,” Tippens said.
Due to the unusual circumstances of the students’ enrollment, the administration was forced to create a special admission procedure to allow the students to begin classes this week.
“They had no transcripts and no SAT scores,” Tippens said. “It took a lot of trust.”
Long said the students did submit some academic paperwork, which was difficult as their original colleges are closed.
“The Office of Admissions received about 250 phone calls from affected students, and students submitted approximately 75 applications for admission over the past three days of the week,” Long wrote in an e-mail to the Graphic.
As part of the assistance program, students will attend as visiting or non-degree students and will return to their home institutions as soon as the next possible semester. Though Pepperdine will not be charging tuition, these students will be responsible for tuition payments to their original universities.
“It is impressive to see how the university has come together to pool their resources,” said Associate Dean for Housing and Community Living Stacy Rothburg. “It’s just been overwhelming how many people want to help.”
According to Rothburg, who was a residential director at Tulane from 2000 to 2002, eight of the students are living on campus. “The students have been very welcoming,” said Rothburg. “They have invited them to events and Ras, SLAs and residents have written notes.”
New Student Orientation coordinators have also familiarized students with the campus and the community by helping them open e-mail accounts, arrange parking permits, find mailboxes and locate One Stop.
“We basically take NSO down from a three-day thing to a couple of hours so they can function as a normal student,” said NSO coordinator and senior Mark Horton.
After realizing that one student had lost everything, Horton and others bought her linens and accessories at a nearby Target.
“Just so she doesn’t have to worry about all that stuff,” Horton said. “We’re just making sure they’re comfortable.”
An additional five students are also being admitted into the School of Law, according to Tippens.
Tulane University President Scott Cowen announced on the university’s emergency Web site that Tulane will re-open for spring semester.
Cowen also expressed his gratitude.
“I have never been prouder than I am now to be in higher education,” Cowen said. “I am so indebted to my colleagues around the country.”
09-08-2005