Berry College Partners to Help Puerto Rican Students
Release Date: December 12, 2017
The Georgia Independent College Association and
The Association of Private Colleges and Universities of Puerto Rico have
partnered to assist in the placement of college students temporarily displaced
in Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Maria.
Berry College is one of 10 Georgia colleges that have agreed to enroll students for a
semester starting Spring 2018 with the home institution in Puerto Rico
receiving the tuition. Students are expected to spend one semester in Georgia
before returning to their Puerto Rican college or university.
“This partnership means that Puerto Rico’s private
college students will not suffer a delay in their studies,” said GICA President
Susanna Baxter. “Our sister institutions in Puerto Rico will also receive the
tuition needed to make payroll and make repairs. This is a small way we can
help our fellow citizens during this rebuilding period.”
GICA members currently participating in this agreement
with the 13 Puerto Rican colleges and universities include: Agnes Scott
College, Berry College, Brewton-Parker College, Covenant College, LaGrange
College, Oglethorpe University, Toccoa Falls College, Truett McConnell
University, Wesleyan College and Young Harris College.
“The Presidents and Chancellors, members of The
Association of Private Colleges and Universities of Puerto Rico (ACUP) thank
The Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) for their willingness to
host Puerto Rican students in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria,” said Dr.
Carmen Cividanes-Lago, Advisor to ACUP. “Hurricane María’s wrath has been
life-changing and it has taken away many of our students’ income, jobs, and
personal property, but it cannot take away their passion project: to continue
studying. We are ever so grateful that our students have been offered help
during this very difficult time and that they will be able to pursue education
for a semester in Georgia. Thank you, Georgia!”
Interested students should go to http://www.georgiacolleges.org/contact/PRStudentSemesterRelief
About GICA:
The Georgia Independent College Association is comprised
of 24 private (independent) colleges and universities accredited by SACSCOC.
Through partnerships with institutions, businesses, and community leaders, GICA
supports private higher education in Georgia in the areas of public policy,
fundraising for student financial aid, and collaborative programs.
About ACUP:
The Association of Private Colleges and Universities of
Puerto Rico represents the Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) serving over
119,000 students and is recognized as Puerto Rico’s most prestigious
association of private higher education institutions with memberships made up
of major and well established private not-for-profit colleges and universities on
the island. ACUP’s 13 members are all accredited by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
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