SUNY Board of Trustees Extends Support of Haitian Students Through Spring 2014

Albany – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today extended authorization of resident tuition rates for Haitian nationals attending its State-operated campuses on non-immigrant visas through Spring 2014. The rates were first put in place as a result of a SUNY-wide effort to assist victims of a devastating earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti in January 2010.

“SUNY has been able to assist a large number of Haitian students since the 2010 earthquake and we are pleased to be able to continue our support,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “It is our hope that these students will be able to return home and bring with them the benefits of a SUNY education that can support the rebuilding of their country.”

The Board’s extension through Spring 2014 is expected to benefit dozens of students enrolled on SUNY State-operated campuses. By resolution, the Board also encouraged SUNY community colleges enrolling Haitian students to offer similar support.

The occurrence of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010 left millions displaced and homeless. Since that time, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti has been further compounded by outbreaks of disease and continued widespread displacement of its citizens. Also in recognition of this, the U.S. government has extended the ability of Haitian nationals who are in the U.S. to study, work, visit or otherwise remain in the country and to receive the benefits of Temporary Protected Status, through July 22, 2014.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating approximately 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs, and nearly 2 million in workforce and professional development programs, on 64 campuses. There are nearly 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.