Katrina Victims Get A Hand From Columbia

By Erin in News on Sep 12, 2005 6:43PM

The show must go on. Or at least Econ 101 classes.

For 15 students whose lives were turned upside down by Hurricane Katrina, Columbia College has opened its doors to them by offering free tuition, room and board. The number, according to Columbia officials, is expected to grow.

Chicagoist tends to be a cynical, big ol' meanie but we have to say that it warms our cold, bitter hearts to hear that the relief efforts here in Chicago aren't only confined to one area or another. While perhaps an education isn't first and foremost on the minds of the people in the Gulf Coast, it's nice to hear that the option is made available for those who qualify. In fact, students who hail from the area, but were enrolled in colleges and universities in the affected region, will receive a 50% discount on tuition.

According to the school's newspaper, "This is our small way of responding to what is a national crisis," said Mark Kelly, vice president of student affairs. "Taking our skills and talent and bringing them to the victims of this disaster is just an obvious and necessary thing for us to offer."

Seriously. This rocks. Perhaps it's not an ideal situation for those students but maybe being back in classes will give them some semblence of normalcy. Chicagoist wonders if any other local schools are doing the same? Anyone know?