UCLA is offering enrollment opportunities to students from universities and colleges that have canceled classes because of hurricane and flood damage in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
In addition, UCLA is prepared to grant up to a year’s leave to current UCLA students who have been affected by the tragedies of the Gulf Coast region. About 50 UCLA students, including incoming freshmen and transfer students, have permanent addresses in the three affected states. The degree to which they have been affected is not yet known.
"UCLA is committed to doing its part to ease the burden on students, both our own students and those from other universities, affected by Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flooding," Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Daniel Neuman said. "One of the best ways for us to help is to assist affected students in continuing their education."
Enrollment opportunities for Katrina-affected students from other institutions will be processed through the Concurrent Enrollment Program, administered by UCLA Extension, and will be available with no enrollment fees being charged for those students.
This program enables students to take available regular courses at UCLA. Students in these courses can receive grades, but decisions about whether academic credit for the 10-week courses will be accepted by the students' home institutions, many of which are on a 15-week semester calendar, can only be made by those institutions, not by UCLA, Neuman said.
Academic counseling to determine qualifications is required for those interested in concurrent enrollment. Enrollment in certain courses is subject to the consent of the individual faculty instructor, and space limitations may be a factor.
"Given the extraordinary circumstances, I have asked our academic deans and faculty to be as flexible as possible," Neuman said.
"Many details will be worked out as the days and weeks progress," he added. "The important message to be communicated now is that those students who are turning to UCLA in this time of special need can know that their requests are being handled in a coordinated and organized manner."
UCLA's efforts are consistent with the general guidelines regarding such temporary enrollments announced Sept. 2 by American Council on Education President David Ward after consultation with various chief executive officers of the affected universities and colleges.
Ten law students from Tulane University have joined classes at the UCLA School of Law, where classes began Aug. 22. Instruction at UCLA's College of Letters and Science and nine of the university's 11 professional schools begins Sept. 29.
Neuman noted that Hurricane Katrina relief efforts also are being initiated at this Saturday's UCLA-Rice football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Students from other universities interested in concurrent enrollment are encouraged to contact UCLA Extension at (310) 206-6201 or visit the admissions Web site at http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/katrina.
UCLA students from the affected regions are encouraged to contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (310) 825-3871 or dean@saonet.ucla.edu