Syracuse University seeks help in meeting housing needs of students displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Syracuse University seeks help in meeting housing needs of students displaced by Hurricane KatrinaSeptember 02, 2005Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Syracuse University is asking for help from the Syracuse community in meeting the housing needs of students affected by Hurricane Katrina who have accepted SU’s offer of temporary enrollment.

In response to a request from the Association of American Universities (AAU), SU on Aug. 31 offered enrollment on a temporary basis to students until their home institutions reopen. As of Sept. 1, more than 300 students from Tulane and other institutions in the Gulf states area impacted by Hurricane Katrina had inquired about SU’s offer. Although the University can no longer accept new inquiries from affected students because of enrollment capacity, administrators are working to ensure that the academic and housing needs of these first 300 students are being met, along with the needs of SU’s regular students.

Property owners who have apartments to rent, or Syracuse homeowners who would like to rent or sponsor rooms for students in their private residences, are needed. Apartments and homes of greatest assistance will be in the 13210 zip code and/or on a University bus line. Property owners and residents who can accommodate longer-term housing needs shouldvisit http://www.orangehousing.com to give their information. Property owners can submit their information under the apartment categories listed. Privatehomeowners can submit their information under the “rooms for rent in private homes” and “sponsored housing” categories that will appear on the website later today. Property owners can specify in their information whether their homes are best suited for undergraduate or graduate students.

In addition, local residents who can accommodate short-term housing needs for students should call Hendricks Chapel at (315) 443-2901 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. to give their information.

Housing needs may also involve graduate students and law students. The University’s grant preparation and research facilities remain available to faculty members and graduate and law students from affected colleges and universities. Those interested in research should contact Gina Lee-Glauser at (315) 443-1824. Additionally, the SU College of Law has notified the American Association of Law Schools and American Bar Association that it will, for the fall semester, take any Tulane or Loyola New Orleans students who have paid tuition to their home school and are in good standing. More information on the law offer is available at (315) 443-9580.