Update: Hurricane Relief and Tulane University Students

Note: Tufts has welcomed its guest students from Tulane University. The undergraduate admissions process has concluded.

September 7, 2005

Dear Members of the Tufts community:

Thank you for your overwhelmingly positive response to my recent email regarding assistance for Tulane University students. The outpouring of support from faculty, staff and students who wish to contribute to relief efforts is truly inspiring. I am very proud of your response, and I encourage you to continue to explore the ways in which our community can help meet the critical needs of people in the Gulf region.

I thought it would be helpful to update you on the University's activities. First, I am pleased that we expect to welcome our first group of Tulane undergraduate guest students on Thursday, September 8 (tomorrow). A second group is expected to arrive on Monday, September 12. The Admissions Office staff and Student Services staff worked throughout the Labor Day weekend to respond to inquiries, gather student information, and begin the assessment of the Tulane students' academic needs. I am deeply grateful to all who contributed to this expedited process and who have taken on special responsibilities during what is already a very busy time of year.

As I said in my earlier email, the goal of this program is to help the Tulane students advance academically. In accepting Tulane students, we are balancing their academic needs with the resources that Tufts is able to provide, specifically courses in which we have existing capacity or in which we can add seats without diminishing the overall academic experience of any student. Our course capacity will be the determining factor in the number of Tulane students that we ultimately enroll - both from the students' perspective (whether the courses meet their academic needs) and the Tufts perspective (openings available). Again, our goal is to help as many students as we can while preserving the quality of the academic experience for all.

Many of you have volunteered to provide housing for the guest students. Thank you for this kind expression of support. Bruce Reitman and his staff have kept a running list of faculty, staff and student volunteers. If your assistance is needed, you will be contacted by Dean Reitman or his staff. It appears at this time that rooms in private homes will not be needed for guest students. Nonetheless, I remain grateful for your generosity.

Once the students arrive on campus (Thursday or Monday), they will be given an orientation, registered for classes and assigned an academic advisor. Please help the students to feel welcome by reaching out to them, including them in your activities, and being supportive as they acclimate to our campus. They will need your help to become familiar with and comfortable at Tufts.

Some of you have asked whether the program will extend for the entire academic year. It is too soon to make that decision. We are monitoring updates from Tulane University and eventually will have the opportunity to talk with Tulane officials about their plans for Spring 2006 and beyond. Our goal is to work cooperatively with Tulane and to help in ways that best meet Tulane's needs.

Others have asked about assistance for graduate students. Given the specialized nature of graduate education, admission of graduate students is being determined by the deans and faculty of each Tufts graduate and professional school.

Many of you have sent me your ideas for community activities to aid Katrina's victims, especially those still in devastated regions or in shelters. I have shared your emails and messages with Nancy Wilson at the University College of Citizenship and Public Service. I think the University College is a perfect resource and clearing house for these examples of active citizenship. If your department or organization plans to sponsor a relief activity, please let Nancy know so that efforts may be coordinated to the fullest extent possible.

Fall is the season for our Tufts Community Appeal. For those who are new to our community, the Tufts Community Appeal is a philanthropic campaign for faculty and staff modeled after the United Way campaign, but is broader in scope and very flexible in giving opportunities. The University will include major charitable organizations providing hurricane relief as potential recipients for Community Appeal support, in order to facilitate giving. More information about the TCA will come to you in the weeks ahead. The problems in the Gulf region will extend for many months. Our support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina will be just as important mid-fall as it is now.

And finally, I ask you to keep in mind our Tufts students who are from the Gulf region, whose families in some instances have lost everything and have suffered extensively from Katrina's wrath. Please reach out to these students as well. I encourage our students from the Gulf region to not hesitate in seeking help and support from the Tufts community. We are here for you, too. Our hearts go out to you and your families.

Thank you again to all of you for your boundless offers of assistance. Your generosity and compassion are deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,
Lawrence S. Bacow
President