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Campus Bulletin

September 05, 2005

U of G Reaching Out to Hurricane Victims

The University of Guelph is reaching out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, including offering to admit displaced students from colleges and universities in the Gulf Coast regions.

“For the second time this year, we are mourning the loss of life and the spectacle of human suffering as a result of a natural disaster,” says president Alastair Summerlee. “We are attempting to contact the president of Louisiana’s Tulane University, as well as other colleges and universities affected by this devastating hurricane. I would like to express our sincerest sympathy and offer to help in any way we can as a partner in higher education.”

U of G will accept, whenever possible, undergraduate and graduate students from schools that have been adversely affected by flooding and destruction. Following guidelines developed by Gulf Coast presidents, the students would be admitted to U of G on a visiting or provisional basis.

In addition, U of G will work with faculty and other researchers to assess what assistance the University might provide in the short and long term in the way of research and other expertise. “The dean of the Ontario Veterinary College has already been in contact with colleagues in the region to see whether there is any way that we can be of assistance,” says Alan Shepard, associate vice-president (academic). “We will also continue to work with schools and colleges to find out how we can help.”

Summerlee adds that U of G is known for being a caring, giving community and for its commitment to collaboration and internationalism. “It is fitting that we would offer to help these schools as they face the many challenges ahead. Our thoughts are also with the families whose loved ones are missing and to those who have lost their homes and belongings.”