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Sept. 2, 2005

Trinity University Extends Helping Hand To Hurricane Victims, Displaced College Students

SAN ANTONIO – As many as 40 students displaced from New Orleans-area universities have contacted Trinity University to enroll in classes for the fall 2005 semester because of the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, Trinity officials said Friday, Sept. 2.

Michael Fischer, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Trinity, said more than 100 of the University’s 235 faculty members answered an invitation to add a student from one of the displaced schools to their classes. “Several of these students were originally admitted to Trinity and have expressed interest in eventually transferring here,” Dr. Fischer said. “They understandably do not want to lose an entire semester (or maybe even more) of college work.”

Many of the students are from the Austin and San Antonio areas, officials said. Trinity’s admissions office is using an expedited admissions process for the students who have expressed interest in continuing their higher education without taking a semester off.
Trinity’s residential life staff issued a call for students living in residential rooms designed for two students who would volunteer to accept a third roommate. Trinity has a policy requiring students to live on campus for the first three years of enrollment.

Various student organizations, including the Association for Student Representatives, and the University’s office of Campus and Community Involvement are developing and coordinating relief efforts. Among the projects being discussed is a benefit concert. Details will be announced as they develop.

In addition, Gary Neal, director of counseling and health services at Trinity, held an open forum for any staff, faculty, or students who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Additional sessions could be held for those with families, friends and loved ones along the Gulf Coast, if the need arises, Dr. Neal said.