UNH Ready To Assist New Hampshire Students On Space-Available Basis

Contact: Kim Billings
603-862-1558
UNH Media Relations

Sept. 1, 2005



DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire will grant non-degree (special) admission to students from the Granite State who are enrolled in colleges and universities closed because of Hurricane Katrina. Courses are available on a space-available basis and students will be advised prior to registration to ensure that courses are appropriate based on both prior coursework and readiness for those courses.

In addition, UNH advising staff will try to counsel students about the likelihood that their home institutions will be returning to normal in the future and suggesting that they try to obtain information about their options in Louisiana before committing to UNH.

Because of housing pressures, the university is not able to provide housing on campus so students who are unable to obtain rental housing in the area and for whom commuting to UNH will be a problem, we will also ensure that they are aware of UNHM, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, Granite State College and the New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges, as well as private options that would work better for them based on location.

“The images provided by the media and the stories that are becoming available through personal contacts paint a horrific picture of the suffering, loss and confusion that have accompanied this natural disaster,” said UNH President Ann Weaver Hart. “In the aftermath, we will do everything we can to accommodate any New Hampshire students who wish to enroll at the University until the worst is over and campuses are again open. We can grant special admission to students for courses that are still open for enrollment, and our University Advising and Career Center will assist in advising these students. Naturally, we also will make them aware of other options at our Manchester campus and other USNH schools. The most important thing right now is people’s safety and as community initiatives increase to help those in need, I urge everyone to give whatever they can in the way of aid for those affected by Katrina.”

In addition, UNH students are raising money for American Red Cross hurricane disaster relief efforts. The Student Senate and Memorial Union Building (MUB) General Administration began collecting money Tuesday at the MUB Information Desk. The students plan to expand their efforts, which will last two weeks, to the other areas of campus, including the MUB Ticket Office where students will be able to use their Cats Cache accounts to donate, according to Bob Pettigrew, accountant, MUB General Administration.

Other student organizations and classes, including the Thompson School’s Community Service and Leadership program, are planning to support the American Red Cross with disaster relief fund-raising. “There are so many college students down there who are not going to get their college education this year. This shows what we can do when everyone pulls together and gets involved,” Pettigrew said.