NIU reaches out to college students
displaced by Hurricane Katrina

by Joe King

The NIU campus has rallied to aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

In the days since the storm roared ashore, devastating large swaths of the Gulf Coast and inundating New Orleans with flood waters, the university has stepped forward with offers to assist displaced students and contributions to relief operations.

“It was impossible not to be touched by the human suffering caused by this disaster, and I am very proud of the way that the entire campus community has pitched in to help,” said NIU President John Peters, who issued a campus-wide plea for faculty and staff to reach out to victims of the storm.

One facet of that assistance was an offer to enroll college students from Illinois who were attending Gulf Coast schools only to have their education put on hold by Katrina.

“We fully realized the headaches that come with last-minute, mid-semester enrollment of students, and the complexities of interstate transfers,” Peters said, “but considering the trauma these students have experienced, it seemed like a small sacrifice to make.”

Around 20 to 30 students contacted the university, and to date six undergraduates and two graduate students have enrolled. By marshalling a wide array of resources, the university has been able to ensure those students have no out-of-pocket expenses for tuition or fees.

Vice Provost Gip Seaver, who was the point person coordinating efforts between colleges, financial aid, the bursar's office and others on campus, said that an extraordinary level of cooperation and compassion made that process move smoothly.

“People didn't worry about barriers; they worried about finding solutions for these students,” Seaver said, adding that offers of help came from all directions.

“I had calls from faculty members offering to house students for free, a local Realtor called and offered free apartments and I had offers of help from local churches. That kind of support from the community is one of the great things about NIU.”

Dana Gautcher, NIU's scholarship coordinator and financial retention advocate, worked directly with many of the displaced students. Most, she said, were spared the worst of the hurricane and its aftermath, getting out before it hit. However, they are still dealing with a myriad of issues.

“Many had family members or friends who were in the Superdome, or who were trapped in their houses. Many don't know if family and friends are alive and, if so, where,” Gautcher said.

“It is amazing to see their determination in the face of all of that, and it was wonderful how so many offices on campus worked quickly, efficiently and effectively to assist these students,” she added. “There is so much in their lives that is in a shambles, and will remain so for a very long time, so it was nice that we were able to help them return to some small semblance of normalcy in one area of their lives.”

Many NIU employees who did not work directly with displaced students offered assistance by donating money toward relief efforts. Many chose to make their donation through the state's State and University Combined Appeal (SECA) program.

Contributions will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 16. Click here for details on how to participate in this collection.

“In the face of such a massive disaster, it is easy to feel helpless,” Peters said. “I am extremely proud that so many here at NIU have found ways to reach out to the victims of Katrina, and hope that we will all continue to do so in the months ahead.”

9-12-05