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After Hurricanes, Schools Accommodate Puerto Rican Students After Hurricanes, Schools Accommodate Puerto Rican Students
(about 2 hours later)
Students from Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands who attend the State University of New York will pay in-state tuition this school year, the SUNY board of trustees said Friday.Students from Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands who attend the State University of New York will pay in-state tuition this school year, the SUNY board of trustees said Friday.
In making the move, SUNY joins several school districts, colleges and universities preparing for an influx of students forced from their homes by recent hurricanes, which have shattered power grids and left residents scrambling for basic staples.In making the move, SUNY joins several school districts, colleges and universities preparing for an influx of students forced from their homes by recent hurricanes, which have shattered power grids and left residents scrambling for basic staples.
And while leaving Puerto Rico has been difficult, the exodus has begun. The office of Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said that since Tuesday, more than 10,000 people from Puerto Rico had arrived in Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.And while leaving Puerto Rico has been difficult, the exodus has begun. The office of Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said that since Tuesday, more than 10,000 people from Puerto Rico had arrived in Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.
The SUNY board’s decision, which was adopted in a vote on Friday morning, extends in-state tuition on its 29 campuses not only to students fleeing the devastation, but also to students from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands who are already enrolled. H. Carl McCall, the chairman of the SUNY board, said students who could afford to pay full tuition a few months ago may now find themselves in very different circumstances.The SUNY board’s decision, which was adopted in a vote on Friday morning, extends in-state tuition on its 29 campuses not only to students fleeing the devastation, but also to students from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands who are already enrolled. H. Carl McCall, the chairman of the SUNY board, said students who could afford to pay full tuition a few months ago may now find themselves in very different circumstances.
“Our position is that in the long term, if they are able to continue their education, they will be in a better position to assist the rebuilding effort in Puerto Rico, which will go on for a long time,” Mr. McCall said. So far, he said, SUNY has identified about 215 students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who will see their tuition reduced, a saving of about $10,000 a year for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree.“Our position is that in the long term, if they are able to continue their education, they will be in a better position to assist the rebuilding effort in Puerto Rico, which will go on for a long time,” Mr. McCall said. So far, he said, SUNY has identified about 215 students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who will see their tuition reduced, a saving of about $10,000 a year for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
SUNY, like other public university systems, has extended similar relief after natural disasters in the past. Students displaced by Hurricane Katrina were offered in-state tuition at SUNY in 2005, and those affected by a devastating earthquake in Haiti were given the same benefit in 2010. SUNY says about 300 students took advantage of the two programs.SUNY, like other public university systems, has extended similar relief after natural disasters in the past. Students displaced by Hurricane Katrina were offered in-state tuition at SUNY in 2005, and those affected by a devastating earthquake in Haiti were given the same benefit in 2010. SUNY says about 300 students took advantage of the two programs.
Other public universities are taking similar steps. The Board of Regents in Connecticut is expected to vote this month on giving in-state tuition to students displaced from United States territories, as is the City University of New York, which has more than 16,000 students who identify as being of Puerto Rican descent. The change at CUNY would also save students about $10,000 per year. Other public universities are taking similar steps. The Board of Regents in Connecticut is expected to vote this month on giving in-state tuition to students displaced by the storms, as is the City University of New York, which has more than 16,000 students who identify as being of Puerto Rican descent. The change at CUNY would also save students about $10,000 per year.
In a statement urging SUNY and CUNY to offer the tuition discount, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat, noted that more than 1.1 million Puerto Ricans live in New York State. In Florida, which also has a significant Puerto Rican population, Mr. Scott, a Republican, urged the state’s public colleges and universities to offer a discount to Puerto Rican students. According to his office, more than three dozen schools have waived out-of-state tuition and fees.In a statement urging SUNY and CUNY to offer the tuition discount, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat, noted that more than 1.1 million Puerto Ricans live in New York State. In Florida, which also has a significant Puerto Rican population, Mr. Scott, a Republican, urged the state’s public colleges and universities to offer a discount to Puerto Rican students. According to his office, more than three dozen schools have waived out-of-state tuition and fees.
While colleges can choose to accommodate displaced students, public elementary and high schools will generally be obligated to accept them, and some districts are already making preparations. Mr. Scott’s office said Puerto Rican children have begun enrolling in Florida, and in New York City, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education said they have received anecdotal reports of students beginning to trickle in from the island. The New York City schools chancellor sent a letter to principals last week encouraging them to welcome arriving students.While colleges can choose to accommodate displaced students, public elementary and high schools will generally be obligated to accept them, and some districts are already making preparations. Mr. Scott’s office said Puerto Rican children have begun enrolling in Florida, and in New York City, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education said they have received anecdotal reports of students beginning to trickle in from the island. The New York City schools chancellor sent a letter to principals last week encouraging them to welcome arriving students.
The Rev. Samuel Cruz, the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and a prominent Puerto Rican activist, warned, however, that the enticement of cheaper tuition could have a damaging effect on the already-beleaguered University of Puerto Rico. Before the storm, amid the island’s fiscal crisis, the university had experienced strikes and was facing severe budget cuts. Now, with the twin effects of Hurricane Maria and discounted tuition, the university system there could suffer a potential “brain drain,” Mr. Cruz said.The Rev. Samuel Cruz, the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and a prominent Puerto Rican activist, warned, however, that the enticement of cheaper tuition could have a damaging effect on the already-beleaguered University of Puerto Rico. Before the storm, amid the island’s fiscal crisis, the university had experienced strikes and was facing severe budget cuts. Now, with the twin effects of Hurricane Maria and discounted tuition, the university system there could suffer a potential “brain drain,” Mr. Cruz said.
“That’s probably going to destroy the university,” he said in an interview, adding that a migration of younger students could also be harmful to the island.“That’s probably going to destroy the university,” he said in an interview, adding that a migration of younger students could also be harmful to the island.
“I’m not going to tell a family that is without power over there not to come,” he said. “But, perhaps those of us who are here should focus more on making sure schools are rebuilt, through pressure and also through donations, so that people don’t feel they have to come this way.”“I’m not going to tell a family that is without power over there not to come,” he said. “But, perhaps those of us who are here should focus more on making sure schools are rebuilt, through pressure and also through donations, so that people don’t feel they have to come this way.”
James B. Milliken, chancellor of the CUNY system, said CUNY was trying to work with the University of Puerto Rico, making tuition assistance available and perhaps even providing temporary placements for faculty, but also did not want to exacerbate a flight from the institution.James B. Milliken, chancellor of the CUNY system, said CUNY was trying to work with the University of Puerto Rico, making tuition assistance available and perhaps even providing temporary placements for faculty, but also did not want to exacerbate a flight from the institution.
“We don’t necessarily want to take students on a permanent basis from the University of Puerto Rico, we want to be part of their rebuilding,” Mr. Milliken said. “If there are things we can do in the interim period, in the rebuilding period, while they’re having trouble getting back up, then we’ll do everything we can.”“We don’t necessarily want to take students on a permanent basis from the University of Puerto Rico, we want to be part of their rebuilding,” Mr. Milliken said. “If there are things we can do in the interim period, in the rebuilding period, while they’re having trouble getting back up, then we’ll do everything we can.”