Cornell-UPR Interuniversity Relief Program

As Puerto Rico continues to recover from Hurricane Maria, Cornell has responded to a request for assistance from the Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) by offering a semester of study in spring 2018 in Ithaca for up to 58 students.

UPR is the main public university system in Puerto Rico, with 11 campuses, serving 58,000 students. The university is open but not operating at full strength.

While Cornell will cover tuition, room and board, these students and families would still be responsible for other expenses, including books and supplies, winter clothing, food, and transportation.  While efforts are underway to secure reduced airfare for travel to and from Ithaca, we hope to raise money to defray the expenses of hosting these deserving and impressive students.

As you know, students and families have already been significantly affected by Hurricane Maria. A significant percentage of Puerto Ricans do not yet have power or water.   Any support we can provide to make a semester of study at Cornell easier and more feasible would have a genuine impact.

Our goal, based on current estimates, is to raise at least $40,000 to help meet student needs. 

Funds raised for this initiative will assist these students as outlined above.  Should we meet those needs and have additional money available, it will support other expenses these students might incur.

For questions about giving in support of this initiative, please contact Joe Lyons at:  607.254.6143 or joseph.lyons@cornell.edu