LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider’s Lawrenceville and Princeton campuses are showing compassion and support for those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region.

Both campuses have organized disaster relief fundraising efforts, and the University has reached out to students displaced the hurricane.  Rider has opened its door to students wishing to enroll as visiting students for at least the semester tuition free.  Karen Crowell, associate director of the College of Continuing Studies, has coordinated that effort, and to date, six students have enrolled.

In addition, Rider SERVES, a community-service student organization, raised $1,357 for hurricane victims during move-in day on Sunday, September 4th.  New students and their family members gave generously, and the money will be presented to the American Red Cross. "The overall impact of community service is simply amazing,” said Christine Carter, co-coordinator of the Rider SERVES Program. “Like the rest of the world, our students were strongly affected by reports of Hurricane Katrina and its victims. Rider SERVES and others on and off campus are doing whatever possible to help. That’s what it’s all about.”        

     This month, the Student Government Association’s President Council, led by the Pan-Hellenic Council President Alyssa Ruggiero, is selling beads at all major campus events. The beads will be sold at a price of four strands for a $1 and all money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.  In addition to buying beads, members of the campus community are being asked to wear them to show their support for the victims.  Professors and administrators are particularly encouraged to wear the beads to classes and around campus in an effort to unite the campus around the cause.  For more information, e-mail Ruggiero at Ruggerio@rider.edu