As institutions, churches and organizations around the country race to help save lives through aid relief in the Gulf region, Oregon universities are also using all available resources to offer assistance to get life back on track for the 150,000 students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina,” said Senior Vice President and Provost John Moseley in a press release dated Sept. 1.
“The University of Oregon is ready to accommodate students who cannot get to campuses that have been devastated by the hurricane, as well as students who were planning to attend the University of Oregon and might encounter delays in traveling back to Eugene,” Moseley said.
The University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Portland State University are leading the way by offering in-state tuition rates for displaced students as well as space for faculty to continue their academic research.
“The U of O is providing some assistance in terms of fee remissions, where students don’t have to pay out-of-state tuition, and so is OSU … PSU is trying to provide space for faculty,” said Oregon University System Director of Communication Diane Saunders.
So far, Oregon universities have received about 100 queries from students affected by the hurricane and three or four are scheduled to begin school this fall, Saunders said.
Both the University and Oregon State are currently taking admission requests for fall term. Moseley said he will address each student’s individual needs in admission, academic and personal advising, housing and financial aid.
Oregon State University President Ed Ray said in a letter to the Oregon University System community that his university will also work to “minimize and expedite administrative procedures for admission, housing, financial aid, academic advising and support services for displaced students.”
Other Oregon aid-relief efforts for displaced students include the Oregon Department of Education drive for “resource kits.” State school Superintendent Susan Castillo is joining the national organization of state superintendents in calling on local schools and communities to help students in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The drive asks students and community members to gather school supplies for all grade levels. Everything from pencils and paper to tube socks and shampoo is needed.
“Their schools, homes and supplies have been destroyed,” Department of Education Director of Media Relations Gene Evans said. “So we got together and asked, ‘What can we do?’” Superintendents from the Gulf region replied by calling for school supplies.
“We’re working with the Oregon National Guard, who will coordinate with school districts (in the surrounding areas) to get them school supplies,” Evans said.
Evans encouraged student participation, asking for a plain backpack filled with any of the supplies listed on the education department Web site.
“Just drop it off at the armory; that’s all you have to do,” he said.
For a complete list of the supplies needed by students and teachers, visit www.ode.state.or.us/GO/Katrina.
Resource kits can be dropped of at the Eugene National Guard armory at 2515 Centennial Blvd. Eugene, OR 97401-5806.
Students interested in attending the University of Oregon should contact the University of Oregon Office of Academic Advising at (541) 346-1063.

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