By David A. Sargent,Special to the Sun Journal

LEWISTON – Maine students whose educations have been sidetracked at hurricane-hit Gulf Coast colleges may find aid in a tuition-free offer from Bates College.

The offer is for students who planned to attend accredited colleges and universities that have been closed in the devastated areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. They will be allowed to take classes for credit without charge at Bates College during the fall semester.

“We don’t know how many Maine students this might apply to, but we are confident that we can make room in classes for them,” said Bates President Elaine Tuttle Hansen.

The University of Maine System is implementing a similar plan for undergraduate and graduate students, but it’s not free and the students can be from Maine or from any other state.

Gov. John E. Baldacci and Charles L. Johnson III, chairman of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, announced Friday that any Maine student currently enrolled in a university or college where classes were postponed or terminated because of the hurricane may enroll at one of the system’s universities under “visiting student” status, and they will be offered in-state tuition rates.

At Bates, nearly two dozen inquiries had been received by midday Friday.

Bill Hiss, the college’s vice president for external affairs, said there will not be a complicated admission process.

“We’re going ahead with an expedited admission process where we will just talk with a student and make an on-the-spot decision,” Hiss said.

“There’s not much time to do all this because classes start next week. There’s no time to go through a financial aid process,” he added.

Hiss explained that most undergraduates pursuing a liberal arts education would qualify for the Bates offer. Those who might not find a place would be students “who want to study in some exotic field such as nuclear engineering,” Hiss said. “For some, Bates may not be the right place.”

The “visiting student” status means full credit will be given for the classes at Bates and students will get a Bates transcript of grades that should be transferable when they return to their regular universities.

Hiss said students will pay for their own living expenses. In most cases, that will mean students must find their own accommodations, although Hiss said there are a few on-campus slots open at Bates.

“Bates College is making this offer as a service to Maine students who are caught in this terrible tragedy following Hurricane Katrina,” Hiss said. “It represents a considerable financial commitment that could amount to several hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Hiss said the value of the tuition at Bates College for just a dozen students would be about $200,000.

Application for emergency admission as visiting students at Bates may be made by contacting the dean of students’ office at 207-786-6219. Although room and board will be the student’s responsibility, Bates will offer assistance in finding accommodations.

Students seeking information about the University of Maine plan may call the university system at 1-800-804-3200, ext. 3237, or send e-mail to gshaw@maine.edu.

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