UW-Madison freshman Sam Melameb, who intended to study at Tulane University this year, arrived on campus from New Orleans last week with \eight articles of clothing and a pair of sandals."" Despite the traumatic circumstances that brought him to Madison, Melameb is responsible to pay tuition to both institutions. According to Tulane University, students who are enrolled for the current semester and are studying elsewhere will not be immediately refunded, despite the school's temporary closing.
This is the case facing many of the affected Gulf Coast students and their families. For this reason, many of the colleges and universities that have opened their doors to refugee students are now offering reduced or free tuition.
The UW System Board of Regents approved a resolution Friday to waive Fall semester tuition for hurricane refugees now studying in Wisconsin's public universities and colleges. We commend the Regents for their compassionate action, but are deeply concerned with the lukewarm reception the resolution has met in the Legislature, which must concur in order for the plan to proceed.
Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, politicized the proposal by diverting attention from the immediate needs of students-in-exile to those of Wisconsin students who are ""victims of rising tuition and inadequate financial aid."" Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, seemingly refusing to consider sacrifice said, ""If we can help hurricane victims without a negative effect on Wisconsin students I think we'd consider it.""
While it is true UW has budget issues of its own, we urge the Legislature and Gov. Doyle to support waiving Fall semester tuition for our new classmates. As the great American who overlooks the capital from atop Bascom Hill once said, ""To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own.\
