As many of you may know, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Rensselaer has opened its door to 100 displaced students from Tulane University and Xavier University, both located in New Orleans. I have no doubt in my mind that the Rensselaer community will welcome these new friends into our community. Last year, in the wake of the tsunami in the South Pacific, many student groups and athletic teams banded together. They raised thousands of dollars to help those affected. I call on the Rensselaer community to help these new students adjust to life at our Institute.
When these 100 new students begin arriving on campus, please welcome them with open arms. We all remember our first time coming to Rensselaer. It is never easy moving to a new place. Many of these students will be traveling quite some distance. This may only make the adjustment more difficult.
If you see a new face roaming down the halls of your residence, don’t be afraid. Get up from your computer and go say “hello.” Help these new friends with the adjustment to life at Rensselaer. Many will have questions about various things—be helpful and answer them. Welcome them into you group of friends and include them in your conversations.
The addition of 100 students to the Rensselaer community will not only be an adaptation for the new students, but one for the entire Rensselaer population. There is not all that much room to fit 100 new people into classes, residence halls, etc. Those of you lucky enough to be living solo in a double may soon find you have a new roommate arriving. You might view it as an inconvenience now, but in the future if you were ever in need, you would appreciate a helping hand. If you ask me, this inconvenience is a small price to pay to allow someone to stay in school. Help these students adjust to Rensselaer and help them cope with whatever losses they may have endured.
The administration has done a wonderful thing for these displaced students. College is one of the best times in our lives, and Rensselaer is giving 100 students who have lost so much a chance to continue to experience this wonderful time. For their experience here to be the most enjoyable, it will take more than the administration allowing them to attend the school. It will take a cohesive bond in the student body to welcome them and make them feel at home. So, I ask the students of Rensselaer to join together and help these new friends have the time of their life after experiencing one of the worst times of their lives.
