Wolk urges State's colleges and universities to aid Katrina victims

Urges higher education institutions to absorb students attending impacted schools

In her letter to University of California President Robert Dynes, California State University Chancellor Charles Reed, and California Community Colleges Chancellor Mark Drummond, Wolk asked that the State’s colleges and universities extend effected California students full admission to their schools “for whatever period of time is necessary.”

“These are our children, raised in California,” wrote Assemblywoman Wolk. “And I believe we have a moral obligation to offer them this safe place, a return to their home, if they so choose.

“This is an unprecedented natural disaster in our country and I believe it is imperative for all of us to do whatever we can to reduce the pain, suffering and anxiety that the people in the effected areas must feel,” Wolk wrote. “California higher education needs to do their fair share in this time of great national need, to extend to our students and their families an opportunity for a safe haven and a place to continue their pursuit of higher education without concern.

Assemblywoman Wolk is also supporting urgency legislation to provide opportunities for all victims in the region to attend California community colleges for one year, regardless of their state of residency, waiving out-of-state fees.

“There are many students whose schools were destroyed by hurricane Katrina or the subsequent floods who will be seeking shelter with family and friends in California,” said Wolk. “They needs a place to continue their education until their home-state schools get back on their feet. I know Californians are willing to provide that for them.”

In the wake of the hurricane and resulting floods, tens of thousands have been forced to leave their homes. Already, colleges and universities across the country have reached out to affected institutions and their students, allowing students to be treated as in-state students in regard to tuition and fees, deferring tuition and fees so that financial aid and other financial arrangements can be worked through on a case-by-case basis, or providing them with living space.