**For Immediate Release** OPSU Offers Immediate Help to Displaced Students -released by OPSU Campus Communications 09-02-05 by Laura Dahl Oklahoma Panhandle State University officials announced disaster relief efforts for college and university students affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will transmit details regarding what each Oklahoma college and university offers to those students. If you know any student who may be helped in this manner, please contact OPSU’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Outreach, Dr. Wayne Manning, at 580-349-1400. The following applies to all students displaced by the disaster who enroll for the fall 2005 semester: OPSU will waive nonresident tuition,as well as late enrollment fees for students from affected states. We will offer resident tuition waivers to Oklahomans returning home due to the hurricane. Sodexho, OPSU’s food contract service provider, will offer free meals for 30 days. OPSU will offer free housing for the remainder of the fall semester, including married student housing. In addition, OPSU has already donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross for use in the relief effort after local Red Cross officials stressed the need for immediate cash. These funds came from money donated by area citizens and businesses for OPSU’s discretionary use. The OPSU Student Senate also plans a number of fundraising activities over the next two weeks to assist the American Red Cross. They will place donation jars in area businesses, and also plan a “Kiss the Pig” contest during half time at next week’s homecoming game. More information will be available next week. If you or your business would like to help in these fundraising efforts, please contact Dr. Manning at the number above. -30-