BOSTON?Children of Boston University alumni killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are eligible for full tuition under a new legacy scholarship, the Board of Trustees decided at their October meeting.
The scholarships would cover tuition costs for four years at BU, according to University spokesman Colin Riley. Students would first have to be admitted to the University under regular qualifications.
“We wanted to show support for the victims of this terrible tragedy,” Riley said. “We hope this will be an appropriate response for this situation.”
President Jon Westling proposed the scholarships at the October meeting of the BU Trustees, according to Susan Paris, vice president of University Relations.
“It was President Westling’s idea,” Paris said. “He presented it to the board and they enthusiastically and immediately accepted it.”
Simmons College, an all female institution located in Boston, has started a similar program, according to Paris. It will award 12 scholarships to daughters of victims of the attacks. The program differed from BU’s in that the recipients do not have to be the daughters of Simmons alumnae, Paris said.
BU spokesman Kevin Carleton said the legacy scholarships are similar to scholarships given to the children of any Boston or Brookline firefighter who is killed in the line of duty.
Paris said she was uncertain of how many students would use the scholarships.
Among current BU students, reaction was mixed.
“I agree with their act of generosity; but it is tragic that the events of Sept. 11 prompted this action,” said Peter Pohl, a College of General Studies freshman.
“It’s a nice gesture by BU,” said Joe Cardinale, a freshman in the College of the Arts and Sciences. “It shows BU supports students while they’re enrolled here and as alumni.”
Other students wanted to see stricter qualifications to the scholarships.
“If it happens that the recipient is already financially able to come to BU, I don’t see why they’d need it,” said CGS sophomore Brian Macias. “The economic situation of the recipient should still be taken into account when it is determined how much money they’re given.”
CAS sophomore Mimi Perez said she sympathized with families’ losses, but did not agree with the scholarships.
“A lot of people die at work; that’s a risk you have to take,” she said. “My dad is a doctor, and if some activist that does not like abortion comes and kills him, [BU] is not going to help me. The way [BU] should help the families is grieving, funerals, things like that.”
“People want to help, but you have to be fair,” she said.
U Wire