STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Stony Brook University has announced that students from the New York metropolitan area attending Tulane and other universities in and around New Orleans would be welcomed as transfer students on a "good-faith" basis in an effort to assist them in continuing their education should they decide to return home temporarily. The offer was made in response to several inquiries from parents of local students attending Tulane.

"We want to do whatever we can in assisting Tulane and other institutions in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina in placing their students, should that need arise," said Stony Brook President Shirley Strum Kenny. "In the wake of this tragedy, people will need all kinds of help in recovering from the awful effects. If we can assist in providing that sense of normalcy, that's what we want to do."

Dr. Kenny said the university had received a number of calls from parents from Long Island, where the school is located, asking if their children attending Tulane would be able to attend Stony Brook immediately for the Fall semester while the recovery effort in Louisiana takes place. Students returning home during the recovery and seeking admission should call (631) 632-6874.

Stony Brook has a total of enrollment of over 21,000 students including its largest freshman class in history, but Kenny said that Stony Brook would accommodate as many students as possible. “We will find the room for them,” she said. “It is too important not to do.”

Relief Efforts
The Faculty Student Association at Stony Brook is co-ordinating the collection and forwarding of cash contributions from members of the University. Collected cash and checks should be sent to the Interfaith Center for deposit into the FSA account. All gifts will go to the American Red Cross, the agency with broadest reach and swiftest delivery.

According to President Kenny, "This tragic event calls for compassion and concerted action. We have a responsibility to reach out to our fellow citizens who face both an immediate crisis and the prospect of long-term hardship. May our response be swift and generous."

For more information on Stony Brook University's relief efforts, visit: http://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/katrina/index.shtml