In an effort to assist college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Sonoma State University and seven other California State University campuses will immediately admit students from Gulf Coast area colleges, as well as California students who had planned to attend a college in that region. Classes at Sonoma began last week.
"The California State University wants to make sure that the educational goals of students are not interrupted by this devastating hurricane," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "We will do what we can, as fast as we can, to help out these students and their families."
To assist these students, the California State University is implementing the following actions effective immediately.
Admitting Students:
Students from the Gulf Areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, even those who lack proper academic documents, may be admitted conditionally for Fall 2005. Their enrollment status for subsequent terms will depend upon the as-yet-unknown ability of schools, colleges, and universities in the Gulf region to provide transcripts and other documentation.
In addition to Sonoma State, the seven other CSU campuses that can currently accommodate are:
* Bakersfield
* Chico
* Dominguez Hills
* East Bay
* Humboldt
* Los Angeles
* Sacramento
Enrollment by Katrina-affected students at the other 15 CSU campuses will be at the option of those campuses on a case-by-case basis. Many of them will be able to accept students because of the emergency situation.
Waiving Policies:
The CSU will temporarily suspend its policies regarding (1) the requirement to document completion of A-G requirements for first-time freshmen and transfer students; and (2) waive the normal English and mathematics placement test requirements for students impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Admission Priority:
Admission priority for Katrina affected students will be in the following order:
* California residents who had previously planned to attend institutions in the Gulf regions of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.
* Students from the hurricane-affected areas previously offered CSU admission for the Fall 2005 term.
* Former CSU students enrolled or planning to enroll Fall 2005 at a Katrina -affected college or university.
* Students who can document Fall 2005 admission to or recent attendance at any regionally accredited college in the areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Fees:
Students who are residents of the Katrina-affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama will be exempt from payment of non-resident tuition. They will still be billed for the CSU State University Fee, all campus fees, housing fees (if residing on campus), and other appropriate fees required of enrolled students. However, CSU campuses will provide flexible deferred payment plans and account receivables as appropriate.
Student Housing:
Campuses providing access to students from the Katrina-affected areas of the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama will either provide on-campus housing or assist the student in securing housing off-campus.
Financial Aid:
CSU personnel and others in Washington, D.C. are exploring the possibility of special conditions on the federal financial aid regulations for students unable to attend college in the Gulf States.
The CSU's Federal Relations Office has contacted the U.S. Department of Education and appropriate House and Senate Committee staff about disbursal of federal financial aid. In the meantime, CSU campuses will prepare to establish account receivables for financial aid recipients to whom financial aid disbursements may not be made until the student is officially admitted.
Students interested in attending a CSU campus should call the CSU Chancellor's Office, Academic Affairs, (562) 951-4727. Information about campus accommodation of students also can be found online at www.CSUMentor.edu.
For further information from Sonoma State University, contact Susan Kashack, Director of Communications, (707) 664-2122.
