Independent Colleges in Virginia Respond to Katrina

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we, the undersigned presidents of Virginia’s independent colleges and universities, are opening our hearts and our doors to students from sister institutions in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region. Many colleges in those areas have had to close down their campuses because of flooding and hurricane damage. Structural damage at several colleges is substantial. They will need to use their fall term tuitions to help rebuild their campuses in the days ahead. We will therefore discount or waive tuition (and in some cases room and/or board) to permit students to attend. We realize that in terms of the magnitude of the crisis in the Gulf States and the need for immediate rescue and medical attention to people in these areas, education might not be the highest priority at this point in time. Yet, we know that thousands of college and university students from this region will not have a place to go to college, and we hope that our response will have a ripple effect and encourage others to do likewise. Together, colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia and, indeed, in the nation can make a major contribution.
Institutions needing assistance as well as students from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast who have been displaced should contact our admission’s offices at the number provided below: