On Campus News

SANTA FE — In response to the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the scores of people affected by this tragedy, College of Santa Fe is making the college’s resources available to displaced college students and is mounting a fundraising campaign to provide aid.

College students from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region are able to transfer to CSF and enroll for the fall semester as “visiting” students as late as Monday, September 12. Although the college is into its third week of classes, the administration, faculty and staff are committed to helping displaced students integrate into classes and catch up with peer students, arrange on-campus housing, and find funding sources for the semester. The residential life office at CSF is guaranteeing immediate housing availability for students who might decide to transfer to the college.

“Our entire campus community has demonstrated an outpouring of concern for the residents of New Orleans and the surrounding area. College of Santa Fe is dedicated to making educational opportunities available for as many students as possible, and we will work diligently to help any displaced students who may want to come to Santa Fe to continue their studies while their college or university is being re-established,” said Dr. Mark Lombardi, president of CSF.

The Admissions Office today began reaching out to high schools throughout New Mexico to alert guidance counselors that families with college students in the affected area can transfer their children to CSF for the semester. It is believed that some families will welcome the opportunity to have their college students close to home as the Gulf Coast region rebuilds its infrastructure and institutions of higher education.

In addition to reopening fall enrollment to students from the Gulf Coast region, College of Santa Fe has pledged a $5,000 donation to the Hurricane Fund of the Christian Brothers Conference, which will be matched through gifts by faculty, staff and students. CSF, a Christian Brothers college, operates as part of the New Orleans-Santa Fe District — home to a network of Christian Brothers elementary and secondary schools. The Hurricane Fund will provide direct support to the network of Christian Brothers’ Schools and the brothers and sisters who have been victimized by the hurricane. Lafayette, Louisiana, is the administrative headquarters for the New Orleans-Santa Fe District.

Students, together with support from faculty and staff, are also planning a community concert fundraising event for later this month at the college to raise money for the many victims of Hurricane Katrina. Details for the event will be released next week.

Parents, students, guidance counselors, or members of the community who are interested in learning more about enrollment opportunities at CSF for displaced students should call (505) 473-6133 to speak with admissions counselor directly for assistance. Additional information is located at www.csf.edu.

Santa Feans and CSF alumni interested in assisting the college with its fundraising efforts are encouraged to call the Development Office at (505) 473-6224.

College of Santa Fe is a private liberal arts college founded in 1874. CSF is guided by its Lasallian heritage in its mission to provide and promote student centeredness, creativity, character, culture, civic capacity and shared governance. For more information visit www.csf.edu.

Contact: Jennifer Levin
(505) 473-6502
jlevin@csf.edu