Hampton University invites Ukrainian students to study on its campus this summer

Hampton — In an effort to help people affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Hampton University is joining the list of institutions to help students continue their education.

This summer, the historically Black university will take in 50 to 100 students who have been studying in Ukraine and allow those students to stay after the upcoming semester.

“I just believe so strongly in helping and serving people. That’s it — nothing more, nothing less,” President William Harvey said during an interview.

It doesn’t matter what students are studying or which program they’re enrolled in, Harvey said. Eligible students merely have to be currently studying in Ukraine. The university will cover tuition, housing and meal plans.

Students who wish to stay at Hampton after the summer will be able to enroll at the university’s regular rate, according to a news release.

University administrators formed a committee, which met Thursday, to address some the challenges that are ahead of them including language barriers and immigration, transportation and vaccination issues. Harvey also reached out to international organizations and the Ukrainian ambassador to see how the university can help.

The University of Chicago announced a similar initiative this week that will allow students to study at the institution’s campus in Paris. The university will offer online and in-person learning options for students who are unable to continue their studies in Ukraine along with other programming efforts.

In 2019, the private institution partnered with University of the Bahamas to assist students who were displaced by Hurricane Dorian. Harvey made calls to presidents of a couple of airlines who agreed to provide students with flights to Hampton Roads. The outpouring of support led to local retail companies chipping in with gift cards for students so they could buy supplies needed for their stay.

“I am not unaware of the difficulties that there are going to be, but I firmly believe that we need to try,” Harvey said.