The Jesuit college will hold an orientation for 75 students from New Orleans-based institutions Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane University on Sept. 14. The Louisiana campuses closed after the storm hit New Orleans on Aug. 29.

"It was the right thing to do," said university vice provost for student life and dean of students Jeanne Rosenberger, a Willow Glen resident. The students will attend Santa Clara University for the fall quarter and return to their home universities in the spring.

Rosenberger said the school has been busy making arrangements for these students, ranging from freshmen to seniors in a variety of majors. The school is trying to find available seats in classes that will complement their studies.

The school received 179 requests from displaced students after the disaster about possible relocation. On Sept. 6, university officials responded to all inquiries. The majority of the students chose to spend the upcoming school year elsewhere.

The private university will not charge tuition to any of the new students. The school has yet to determine what the students' needs are, for example, if they lost all their belongings in Hurricane Katrina. Rosenberger said the school will help students on an individual basis.

"We won't let finances inhibit or prohibit anyone from coming here for the fall," Rosenberger said.

The school expects the students to arrive in the area before school begins on Sept. 19. Although there is little available housing in the school's dormitories and apartments, the school has secured some rooms at a local hotel for the first weeks.

Some of the new students will live with friends or family in the area, Rosenberger said. A number of local families, she said, have also offered to host students in their homes.

Willow Glen residents Joe and Marianne Sugg are opening their Santa Maria Avenue home to two students. Joe Sugg is Santa Clara University's assistant vice president for university operations, handling the facilities.

"I know we don't have enough beds for all the students," Sugg said. His children are grown, so providing two beds in his own home was a "natural" gesture, he said.

The university's efforts are part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities goal to relocate displaced students into sister schools.

The Washington, D.C.-based association quickly mobilized after the storm. Association director of communications Melissa DiLeonardo said reaching people at Loyola University New Orleans was nearly impossible in the storm's aftermath as communication lines were down. In response, President Charles Currie arranged a conference with the executive committee, which is made up of the presidents from the other 27 Jesuit universities across the country.

DiLeonardo said the committee discussed ways to help the displaced students.

"What better way to help these students than help them continue their Jesuit education?" DiLeonardo said.

The association eventually contacted Loyola University New Orleans President Kevin Wildes, who DiLeonardo said accepted the offer to route Loyola's students into sister institutions.

"It's been a really wonderful response in general at all of our schools," DiLeonardo said.

At Santa Clara University, officials are still finalizing plans for its new students. "We're just going to make it work," Rosenberger said. "This is when we're at our best."