Octavio Avila, a pre-health advisor for the USC College, was one of the university staff members who helped displaced students from Gulf Coast schools during an orientation on Sept. 7. Seventy-two students from Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and Xavier University of Louisiana attended. A number of the undergraduates went on to enroll in a program that enables them to attend classes at USC while earning credit at their home institutions.

9/27/05

USC enrolls Gulf Coast students

USC has enrolled 109 students from Gulf Coast colleges and universities affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The 97 undergraduate and 12 graduate students will earn credit at their home institutions, which include Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and Xavier University of Louisiana.

They came to USC through a program announced earlier this month by university officials. USC has also offered to provide technology and expertise to affected colleges and universities so that they will be able to provide their students with distance education options until they are able to reconvene classes on campus.

It is believed that more than 30 colleges and universities in the Gulf Coast region have been severely damaged by the hurricane, and up to 100,000 students have been displaced.

In announcing the program, USC President Steven B. Sample said the university is trying to accommodate the needs of students and their families without causing long-term financial damage to the Gulf Coast colleges and universities.

"The University of Southern California has been carefully monitoring the most current news and information on the Hurricane Katrina tragedy," Sample said on Sept. 2. "We have been working closely with higher education associations and university officials from Gulf Coast institutions to find the best way to make a meaningful contribution.

"Our hearts go out to all those dealing with this difficult situation  including the thousands of students attending colleges and universities in the affected areas. "

For information on this program see Information for Displaced Students.

9/2/05

USC Students Affected by the Tragedy

The university has about 200 enrolled students who may have been directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. In response, the university has offered counseling, logistical help and other assistance to the students.

Earlier this week, USC’s office of Student Affairs e-mailed the students to express the university’s concern and offer help. Students affected by this traumatic event were urged to call Student Counseling Services at 213-740-7711.

Members of the university community are currently organizing relief funds for the students and their families and general victims of the hurricane.

For more information on these efforts see How to Donate.