Nearly four months after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, 62 students from the Universidad de Puerto Rico have come to Ithaca to continue their studies as Cornell joins Tulane University, New York University and Brown University in providing the UPR students with one semester of free tuition, room and board. “Clearly there was a shared desire… to help provide a warm welcome to these students and ensure they felt part of the Cornell family.”The Puerto Rican Students’ Association has enlisted over 60 students to help the incoming students navigate life during their time at Cornell. Christopher Arce ’19, President of the Puerto Rican Students Association, said that many professors, graduate students, health officials, and several department heads have reached out since the announcement that Cornell would be hosting the students. Arce, who previously expressed some concern about a potential racist backlash against the incoming students, said he feels more comfortable than before. “Seeing that kind of positive response makes me confident.”Throughout the semester, the Puerto Rican Students’ Association will continue to raise funds for hurricane relief.

Source: Daily Sun January 23, 2018 05:03 UTC