It has been nearly four months since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, and displaced students are eager to return to their southern schools. With the spring semester approaching, the students who found temporary refuge at UW-Madison must decide whether they will stay.
With almost one complete semester at UW-Madison under his belt, freshman Sam Melamed, who originally planned on attending Tulane University, says he is considering his options for second semester.
'I am leaning towards staying,' he said. 'I have a good time, you know.'
Melamed, who grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wis., said he originally chose Tulane because he wanted to move out of his home state.
Students from Tulane and other New Orleans universities were either admitted as special students or as degree-seeking students. For degree-seeking students, admission processes will be handled in the normal fashion.
Melamed currently does not pay UW-Madison tuition because he was already enrolled at Tulane, but would have to begin payments if he decides to stay.
If students from the Gulf Coast colleges and universities do choose to return to Madison for spring semester, they must apply like any other student.
'They are being admitted as new degree-seeking students and treated as any new and degree-seeking student would be,' said Tom Reason, an associate director in the admissions office. 'They will have the same set of orientation and registration that any new degree-seeking student would want.'
Tulane University in New Orleans does intend to re-open in the spring, which poses a tough decision for many.
'We have 45 of the students from New Orleans universities that have come as special students. Most of them have indicated that they hope to go back to the New Orleans universities,' said Pat Fessenden, Assistant Dean for the Division of Continuing Studies.
Degree-seeking students have the option to apply and their application will be treated like that of any other undergraduate competing for admission for the spring semester. The students that are considered special students have the option to stay for one more semester.
'If they say that they really don't want to stay as a degree student, they would be able to stay as a special student for one more semester and pay tuition. It sounds like many of them are eager to go back,' Fessenden said.
Melamed is still deciding what to do for next semester, as he said he has gotten used to his home in Sellery Hall.
In terms of next year, 'I had to fill out an application because my old one was only good for one year,' Melamed said. Other than that, it is just decision time.
