Email:sesame@evergreen.com
Phone: (360) 867-6724
MySpace: www.myspace.com/sesametesc
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Mailing Address:
SESAME c/o Student Activities
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505
We, as students, professors, staff and alumni of the Evergreen State College and as members of the Olympia community, are troubled and concerned about the current refugee crisis in Iraq and surrounding countries. As an institution that reflects ideals of social justice, human rights and global citizenship, The Evergreen State College has the opportunity to make a small effort toward reconciliation and restitution with Iraq.
With Iraq’s higher education system in ruins, more than 4.4 million internally and externally displaced Iraqis, occupation, sectarian strife, and an estimated death toll of more than one million Iraqis it is time for us, as a college and as a community to offer resources to those in need.
We propose that The Evergreen State College offer three full tuition waivers including room and board to qualified students for the duration of their undergraduate degrees. By admitting Iraqi students the Evergreen State College will move to achieve and give credence to four of the Five Foci of Learning:
We seek to provide an undergraduate education for three Iraqi students who are unable to complete their college education in Iraq or neighboring countries. The Iraqi Student Project will identify, screen, test and recommend Iraqi students, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation, who meet Evergreen’s current admission requirements. Recommendation is based on academic records, language abilities, economic need, and likelihood of success. The Iraqi Student Project will work with each student to ensure that TOEFL scores confirm a proficiency in the English language. Prospective students will submit their applications to the office of admissions for fall 2008 and students will be selected for each of the three tuition waivers.
Given the current condition of Iraq, we request that the Evergreen administration waive certain application requirements when an applicant may not be able to obtain all academic records, provided that every attempt is made to supply the Admissions Office with an adequate file.
As members of The Evergreen State College and Olympia community we pledge to form a network of churches, mosques, synagogues, social organizations and families to offer financial and other support to Iraqi students to ensure a safe and comfortable transition to The Evergreen State College and Olympia, Washington.
Towards this end we request endorsement from your organization. The signatures of students, professors, alumni, staff of The Evergreen State College and Olympia organizations indicates support for three full tuition waivers, including room and board, at The Evergreen State College for qualified students for the duration of their undergraduate degrees.
An offer of higher education to displaced Iraqi men and women will contribute to the future of Iraq and America. In the long term the colleges and universities of Iraq must be restored; the immediate need is to strengthen the present generation at home and abroad.
For more information contact Students Educating Students about the Middle East (SESAME) at 360-867-6724 or visit: