Southern Illinois University--Edwardsville Responds To Students Affected By Hurricane Katrina

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is extending help to students along the Gulf Coast who have been displaced as a result of the catastrophic hurricane and flooding in that region. The announcement was made today by SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift.

"SIUE joins the rest of our nation in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the horrific national disaster that has resulted in significant death and damage in the south," Vandegrift said.

Boyd Bradshaw, assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management for the University, said as of today the University has received a steady stream of calls since the disaster. "We have received a number of inquiries from local students who are attending other colleges and universities in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana who would like to still enroll this fall at SIUE," Bradshaw said.

"We will do what we can to work with these students in getting them admitted and enrolled in classes for this fall term," Bradshaw said. "Qualified students will receive an application fee waiver and will be granted financial assistance for course tuition." Those students interested in help from SIUE, may contact Todd Burrell, director of Admissions, by telephone, (618) 650-3705, or by e-mail: tburrel@siue.edu; Judy Bartel, assistant director of Admissions, (618) 650-3552, jbartel@siue.edu; or Phyllis Werner, manager of the SIUE Service Center, (618) 650-3776, pwerner@siue.edu.

Vandegrift also said SIUE is sending police officers and a police cruiser to the affected area. "As part of a long-standing agreement to respond to the need for police protection during such emergencies, we'll be assisting in this regard."

SIUE Police Chief Gina Hays said the department is a member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS). "Officer Nathan Harris is part of the ILEAS Special Response Teams (SRTs) and he is being deployed this weekend to an area affected by the hurricane," she said. "Two other officers have volunteered to lend additional help and they are awaiting further information from ILEAS to see if their assistance will be needed."

The chancellor also announced that yesterday the University began admitting and supplying financial aid to "refugee" students from universities impacted by Katrina. "We are requesting that faculty and staff work with these students to aid in their transition to SIUE," Vandegrift said. "In addition, SIUE has a procedure in place that will be forwarded to faculty and staff regarding the treatment of our students who are being called for military duty in response to this crisis."

Vandegrift said SIUE is exploring avenues through state and affiliated professional organizations to provide further assistance. "We also wish to express our thanks and appreciation to members of the campus community for their help as individuals during this time of national crisis."