BCC welcomes students of Gulf Coast schools
BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the biggest thing on most Monmouth County residents’ minds is how they can help out those affected in the Gulf Coast region.

At Brookdale Community College, staffers have already taken on the role of helping out those local students that are affected the most by this natural disaster.

Brookdale is offering the opportunity for local students who are enrolled in affected colleges in the Gulf Coast region to come to the Lincroft campus for the semester to continue their education.

“We’re not allowing any barrier to prevent us from helping out those who are unable to get back down to school for the semester or those who feel that the situation is just too dangerous,” Richard Pfeffer, director of student affairs at Brookdale, said. “We’re going to help out in any way we can.”

Among the services that are being offered include an automatic matriculation waiver, no late fees (classes started on Tuesday), financial aid coordination and counseling for those that need it.

Although the center of the tragedy is over 1,300 miles away, there are some who will be taking Brookdale up on its unique offer.

“Just today alone, I have spoken to four or five students that attend universities in the Gulf Coast area that will be taking courses here,” Pfeffer said Monday. “There are students that used to go here that will be coming back now. There’s also one student that attends Southeast Louisiana State that is actually a senior. I am not sure if she will attend here, but if not, I am working on helping her to get to another school locally where she can take the classes that she needs to.”

As if Pfeffer is not handling enough prospective students coming through his office, he has also taken on the responsibility of dealing with at least one who has yet to arrive at Brookdale, and is not sure when he will see her.

“I have been corresponding with one student who is stuck down in a hotel in Houston. I have no idea how or when she may arrive, but I want to make sure that if she wants to come and attend Brookdale for the semester, that she can do so. These kids need our help and I want to make sure they get it.”

While Pfeffer has been inundated (“I’ve had about 100 e-mails from people wanting to help out”) and has been swamped while still trying to complete the regular tasks of his job, he says he is thrilled to see that people all over America are reaching out to help.

“I think I am ready to buy stock in the Kleenex company,” Pfeffer said. “Who knew this would turn into such a tragedy? Still, it’s been really heartwarming to see the outpouring of support and we’re going to do whatever we can to help.”