<p>Spoke with someone tonight whose Tulane freshman started school this week at a state school in another state. Tulane has informed them that they will not be refunding any tuition money (and I don’t think any room/board money, but I’m not positive about that), as most colleges aren’t making the evacuee students pay tuition. However, her son is now on a full scholarship of some sort at this state school. This scholarship was offered to him last year before May 1 and the school agreed to give it back to him. They’ve had to pay 2 room/board bills and buy 2 sets of books, not to mention all new clothes. And they’ve had to pay tuition when their son is on a full scholarship.</p>
<p>She wasn’t complaining as much as I probably would be, just surprised that there won’t be any refund. Is this how other schools are handling this?</p>
<p>I think most universities have admitted the Tulane kids on some “visiting” status and have said either that they won’t charge tuition or that they’ll work it out with the New Orleans institution. They don’t want to be seen as hammering a nail into the Tulane coffin, or as swiping the students. Some have explicitly stated that the tuition already paid to Tulane should be considered their contribution to the university’s rebuilding. It may be that the state school where your friend’s son has landed will also work something out with Tulane at some point.</p>
<p>Basically, Tulane is doing its best to iron out these issues – your friend should be patient and check the Tulane web site regularly for updates. There are some, um, extenuating circumstances that make it a little bit difficult for Tulane to resolve issues of accounting and refunds all that quickly right now. I am sure that in the long run they will try to resolve things as equitably as possible. (As a non-Tulane parent, I am tremendously impressed with the efficiency that Tulane has shown with regard to communications under the circumstances. My daughter is determined to attend a local Tulane event this coming Saturday. Wishful thinking maybe … but I can’t imagine a college president doing a better job that Scott Cowen seems to be doing right now)</p>
<p>It’s interesting to compare the Tulane site at <a href=“http://www.tulane.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.tulane.edu</a> with the Loyola site at <a href=“http://www.loyno.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.loyno.edu</a>. While Tulane’s main concern seems to be with taking care of addressing the needs of its students and employees, the Loyola site’s top priority seems to be to solicit donations for its future through establishment of a Loyola Relief Fund. While I see nothing wrong with that – certainly it is a donation to a good cause – I do think that the messages from Tulane are far more reassuring.</p>
<p>over30, as calmom has pointed out, you should continually check the tulane emergency website. They have addressed an issue related to your friend’s issue and I may be able to find the link. If so, I will post it here - President Cowen has explicitly stated that no student will pay double tuition. He was referring primarily to students visiting at state schools which by law must charge tuition. Your friend’s situation may be complicated by the scholarship you mention. Not sure how that will be handled, but my observation is that Tulane is working awfully hard to be fair.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>btw, Tulane has stated that room and board payments will be credited to the spring bill.</p>