For Immediate
Release: September 2, 2005
Senator Don Barrington
Senator Barrington Seeks Help for College
Students Displaced by Katrina
Sen. Don
Barrington has asked Senate staff to examine possible legislative
and/or administrative solutions that would allow college and university
students displaced by Katrina to relocate to Oklahoma schools.
“The short-term and long-term impact of Katrina is almost
unimaginable. Many people may not realize that several major universities
have been virtually destroyed. It may be years before they can
be totally rebuilt, but their students can’t wait that long,”
said Barrington, R-Lawton.
Barrington said he’d like to explore the possibility of
offering in-state tuition rates as well as honoring scholarships
or grants many students had been using to attend college.
“I understand this is something some college presidents
in the state are already looking into. I just want to make sure
that if there is anything the legislature can do to help, we’re
ready to do it,” Barrington said.
In addition, the lawmaker noted that it was likely Oklahomans
studying out of state were among those impacted by the hurricane.
“I’m sure there are people here in Oklahoma who have
children or grandchildren who were attending college in Louisiana.
We need to do everything we can to help ensure students displaced
by the storm can continue their educations,” Barrington
said. “This isn’t just Louisiana’s problem or
Mississippi’s problem—this is a national problem and
all of us need to do everything we can to help.”
For
more information contact:
Senate Communication's
Office - (405) 521-5774
Audio Clip