<p>President Tilghman issues statement on Hurricane Katrina</p>
<p>by Lauren Robinson-Brown · Posted September 2, 2005; 10:06 a.m.</p>
<p>Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman issued the following statement on Friday, Sept. 2:</p>
<p>The destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina is overwhelming and heartbreaking, and its impact will be far reaching and long lasting. Hundreds of thousands of residents of the Gulf Coast have suffered devastating losses and face enormous challenges in the weeks, months and even years ahead. We extend our deepest sympathies to those who are suffering as a result of this tragedy, and we want to do as much as we can to help.</p>
<p>Within our own University family, we have reached out to all of our undergraduate and graduate students who live in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to offer them any assistance they may need to arrive on campus safely and prepare for the fall semester. Counseling and medical services are being made available to any students who need them. We also will provide support for members of the faculty and staff who may have family members in the area devastated by the hurricane, and will do everything we can to assist members of the University community who wish to offer their services as volunteers. With the support of the Alumni Council, our regional alumni associations in the Gulf Coast are reaching out to their members to see what help they may be able to provide.</p>
<p>Although classes have yet to start, our students are planning fund-raisers, and we will do what we can to support their efforts. Even before those events can take place, we know that many members of the campus community will want to contribute financially to the national relief efforts through the American Red Cross or other organizations that are providing assistance. We are working with the national higher education associations that are seeking to coordinate relief efforts for colleges and universities in the Gulf Coast area. In addition, we are prepared to provide housing on our campus for a limited number of academically-qualified, undergraduate and graduate students who have been displaced from their colleges and universities by the hurricane and flooding so that they may continue their educational pursuits until they can return to their home institutions. Students interested in being considered for these special arrangements should contact Karen Woodbridge at (609) 258-5144.</p>
<p>Tragic events like these touch us deeply and remind us of our responsibilities to care for each other. In the face of such enormous devastation it is heartening that so many want to do what they can to bring hope and support to those in need.</p>
<p>Harvard is taking in 25 undergrads and 25 grads from schools closed due to the disaster; Yale and Cornell have both said they will take in an as yet unspecified number.</p>
<p>
[quote]
"In addition, we are prepared to provide housing on our campus for a limited number of academically-qualified, undergraduate and graduate students who have been displaced from their colleges and universities by the hurricane and flooding so that they may continue their educational pursuits until they can return to their home institutions."
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That looks like doing something to me -- just the same as Harvard. We aren't in session yet, so specifics on what undergrads are going to be doing in the way of fundraising are, of course, still in the making.</p>
<p>Penn has said they will take in 100 "academically qualified Philadelphia-area" undergrads, and an unspecified number of grads.</p>
<p>In all cases, it is unclear whether these "refugees" are admitted as regular students, entitled to stay and graduate, or on some temporary, term-limited basis.</p>
<p>Yea Princeton is even trying to offer housing, something a lot of schools can't do. It seems like everytime I start a new school there's disaster. Sept 11 was my second day of high school.</p>
<p>Cornell responded immediately and offered to take in as many as 200 displaced students and faculty.......other Ivies and tops schools made open arms offers as well. What about Princeton?</p>
<p>To reiterate what MightyChip said, helping these unfortunate people in a time of devestation and need should not be viewed as a competition between various colleges. I'm happy that Cornell is helping just like the vast majority of colleges in the northeast. To see what Princeton is doing, read the first post.</p>
<p>of course it is not a competition.....but Princeton is all talk, no action. Extending sympathy and soliciting fund raising is not exactly putting your money where your mouth is. Let's be honest here, Princeton has a right wing, conservative philosophy and administration that is more comfortable with writing a check than actually inviting some of those displaced southern folk to attend Princeton free for a semester or two.</p>
<p>Princeton HAS taken in displaced students. If you were unable to take Koala's suggestion to re-read Mightychip's initial post of Princeton's offer (toward the end of second-to-the last-paragraph), or Litho's post above, then please read The Daily Princetonian's article about this.</p>
<p>Katrina-affected students (around fifty) have been welcomed to attend Princeton and will not be charged tuition. This is in addition to many other university-wide efforts underway, even though classes don't start 'til next week. </p>
<p>Fwiw, I believe you are wrong about Princeton's political "philosophy" and administration.
Princeton, like most top universities, tends towards liberal yet all sorts of views are represented and welcomed on campus. It is one of the great things about Princeton, to be sure. Go ahead and check; maybe spend some time there BEFORE spouting stereotypes.</p>
<p>Posted by Tulane Parent
on the Parents' Board, Katrina subforum, Schools Accepting Students thread:</p>
<p>"Princeton NOT all talk </p>
<p>Can't agree with 'Smilemore'. Princeton admissions staff worked throughout the Labor Day weekend to process and place 30 students. They even opened a dorm that was shut down in order to house the students. They assigned a Tulane Senior as R.A. for the kids from La.</p>
<p>They are honoring scholarships in some cases and waived tuition in others.</p>
<p>We are very grateful for their efforts. It reflects positively on Princeton."</p>
<p>Thank you for posting, Tulane Parent. Heartfelt best wishes to you and all of the other Tulane parents and students out there. I wish all of the Tulane/Princeton students a great semester at Princeton. </p>
<p>And to Mea and the rest of the Princeton class of '09 from this board--if you approach your Princeton days with the wit and fervor you have shown here on cc, your four years will no doubt be wonderful! Best wishes!</p>
<p>sorry about the previous truncated message. My daughter, a Tulane Senior, was welcomed with open arms at Princeton this past weekend where she was handled directly by the Deans. Princeton was generous with its resources and provided much needed reassurance to the displaced students and they arranged it all in a matter of days. We are very thankful and my daughter is thrilled at the opportunity to study there.</p>