September 19,
2005
Hurricane response efforts continue
acqueline Woodward never imagined evacuating her dorm room would be the first order of business during freshman orientation. Now, the Tulane University student is one of nine others starting the fall semester at the University after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
"It's great that the University of Rochester is here and that I'm safe in my own home," says Woodward, a Wilson Magnet High School graduate and local resident. Woodward had been in New Orleans less than 24 hours when the evacuation notice came. She gathered her laptop, favorite teddy bear and pillow, some clothes, and boarded a bus headed to Jackson, Miss., with hundreds of other students to begin the journey north. A walk-in registration at the College made it possible for her to start classes right away.
"I don't know hurricanes, I know snow. That was shocking," says Woodward, who adds that while her temporary displacement has been challenging, her struggles have been "nothing to complain about" compared to the devastation and loss Gulf Coast residents are facing.
The University continues to reach out to students like Woodward who have found themselves school-less after the disaster. The College has received and responded to inquires from about 30 students and has currently enrolled six for the fall semester. At the Eastman School, two students from Loyola University New Orleans and one from the University of New Orleans have begun studies. The school also is working to help place members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in positions with performance organizations.
Other divisions have extended offers to students and are reaching out to those affected by the storm. The Warner School is developing plans to provide temporary enrollment and assistance to as many as 30 graduate students in education and human development. Simon School Dean Mark Zupan has sent an e-mail to all alumni and current students in the affected areas expressing concern and offering to assist in any way. He also has contacted Dean Angelo DeNisi at Tulane's A. B. Freeman School of Business and offered to be of assistance, including taking up to 20 Freeman students.
The School of Medicine and Dentistry has told the Association of American Medical Colleges that Rochester is willing to accept medical students, residents, and graduate students. The School of Nursing is taking a multi-pronged approach to allow faculty to assist at the site of the disaster and to accommodate a number of displaced nursing students, among other measures.
Faculty and staff at Strong Memorial Hospital have offered through the American Hospital Association to make medical/surgical beds available as needed for patients that must be transferred out of the disaster area. The hospital is on stand-by concerning a request to make available a team of health professionals for a two-week period to staff field hospitals along the periphery of the disaster area.
"As the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina become more apparent with each day, many at the University have focused on how they can help the storm's survivors and academic institutions along the Gulf Coast. This tragedy continues to unfold, but I am heartened by the warm and caring response from so many in our campus community," wrote President Seligman in a recent message to the University community.
In addition to academic and medical assistance, departments and individuals have begun organizing fundraising and outreach efforts to support Red Cross disaster relief. Collections sites have been posted at various locations at the Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, Highland Hospital, River Campus, and other spots. The Memorial Art Gallery collected contributions at the M&T Bank Clothesline Festival on September 10 and 11, and the Friends of Strong Memorial Hospital raised more than $1,700 during a 5K walk/run in Genesee Valley Park on September 11.
The College is sponsoring a special fundraising event on September 23 called JAM-balaya that includes a dinner at 6 p.m. featuring a New Orleans–inspired menu, followed by performances from student groups such as Bhangra, Sihir Bellydance Ensemble, Radiance Dance Theater, Korean American Student Association, Ballet Performance, and Yosakoi in Strong Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for the dinner (includes admission to the show) and $5 for the show only. They can be purchased at the Common Market in Wilson Commons, and proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross relief fund.
To support musicians affected by the disaster, students in the Eastman School's jazz programs have decided to turn their annual free Eastman Jazz Showcase in Kilbourn Hall at 8 p.m. September 23 into a benefit, with a suggested donation of $5. Proceeds benefit the Jazz Foundation of America, a group working with several other New Orleans organizations to provide area musicians with everything from instruments to shelter and food to paying gigs.
Human Resources offers guidelines for faculty and staff who may decide to join the relief efforts for the Gulf Coast communities. The University encourages all individuals to consider their volunteer opportunities in the context of responsibilities to their respective workplaces. Any individual request for time off that goes beyond normal vacation time or paid time off arrangements (for hourly staff at the Medical Center only) must be reviewed by the employee's supervisor. More details are provided at www.rochester.edu/news/volunteer_policy.html.
For the latest updates on University response efforts, visit www.rochester.edu/news/katrina.html.
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