On behalf of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Warner School, I convey our heartfelt support and concern to everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina. I invite students, faculty, and alumni with related needs for themselves or family to be in touch with my office and let us know what we can do to help.

Perhaps never before has our nation faced a natural disaster with such deep and tragic human consequences. In the name of justice and humanity, the very principles that the Warner School is organized around, we are eager to provide additional support and assistance to those most affected.

Warner is offering help in the following ways:
> Enrollment for Students from Affected Universities
> Mental Health Counseling and Support

As we prepare to welcome and support students at this difficult time, I also encourage the Warner community to consider volunteering or making a contribution to the American Red Cross Hurricane 2005 Relief Fund (800-HELP-NOW [800-435-7669] or www.redcross.org). They need our help now more than ever.

Sincerely,
Raffaella Borasi
Dean

Students from Affected Universities
The Warner School is developing plans to provide temporary enrollment and assistance to graduate students in education and human development. Master's and doctoral students in good standing from institutions temporarily closed due to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina are encouraged to contact Rochester's Warner School to see if your academic needs can be accommodated. The Warner School is prepared to assist a limited number of graduate students (possibly as many as 30) from similar programs in the following programs: teaching and curriculum, counseling, human development, school administration, and higher education.

Due to the unique state certification requirements and internship experiences that are part of most educator preparation programs, students will need to make careful course selections to ensure transferability of credit. Faculty chairs will be available to consult with and advise students.

Students interested in this offer should contact us immediately. Classes began at the University of Rochester on September 1. Students may choose to attend the University of Rochester until such time as their home university opens or complete the fall semester.

The Warner School will work with students to assist them in locating temporary housing and secure other help to meet their personal needs while resuming their academic work.

For more information, please contact Barb Zappia in the Office of Development and Communications at 585-275-3178 or bzappia@its.rochester.edu.

Mental Health Counseling and Support  
As the University of Rochester and the greater Rochester community prepare to welcome students and families affected by Hurricane Katrina, the Warner School faculty and students in counseling and counseling education are available to help consult locally on crisis counseling issues and trauma response. In addition, volunteers are available to help meet the mental health needs of those struggling in the aftermath of this major natural disaster through counseling and/or appropriate referrals.

To request assistance, please contact Cathy Ercolamento in the Counseling and Human Development Program at (585) 273-1764 or cathy.ercolamento@rochester.edu.