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College Offers Hurricane Relief Fund

Given the enormity of the tragedy, we wanted to focus our efforts on trying to reach out to a sister institution in great need,” said Occidental Interim President Kenyon Chan, whose office is collecting donations.

Dillard’s campus was flooded with up to eight feet of water when the 17^th Street Canal levee gave way, compounding the damage to buildings caused by the hurricane. All students, faculty and staff were evacuated; students have now returned home, where that has been possible. Dillard President Marvalene Hughes has announced that administrators will return to campus as soon as possible to begin planning for the reopening of campus. “Our spirits are strong and our will unbroken,” Dr. Hughes said. “Dillard will be back and better than ever.”

According to Dr. Hughes, the greatest need is for monetary donations. To contribute to the relief fund, please send a check made to "Dillard University" and forward it to Wendy Clifford in the President's Office or mail it to Kenyon Chan, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles CA 90041.

Occidental also has opened its doors to a limited number of students from colleges and universities closed by Katrina. First-year students who were accepted to Occidental but enrolled at a storm-damaged institution will be eligible for special visiting student status, with all the privileges of a regular Occidental student. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from storm-damaged schools also are eligible for the same status. To date, there have been a number of inquiries, chiefly from students from California; two students from Tulane have accepted Occidental’s offer, admission officials say.

“We have limited space, are in our second week of classes, and don't expect more than a few students, but we will do our utmost to make their short stay with us warm and engaging,” Chan said.