WUSTL concerned for victims and their families

The Washington University community is continuing to show concern for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The University is pursuing several ways to provide relief and support to those who are suffering from the consequences of the disaster.

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has sent the following email to the entire University community, informing them of the steps being taken.

To: Washington University Campus Community

From: Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton

As we move into the days following the devastating natural disaster in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, it becomes clear to me how very interconnected we all are. Many here at Washington University have been touched in some way by Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath of the storm. Those directly affected have had a life-altering experience.

The primary concern for all of us here at Washington University is for the victims of the disaster and their families. It is not easy to comprehend the magnitude of this national tragedy. But in a very special and personal way, our initial response as a community has been to our students who have family and friends in areas affected by the storm. We have been in touch with these students and have extended offers of assistance, financial and otherwise. If you know of any students who have been personally affected by Hurricane Katrina, please encourage them to seek assistance from the Office of Student Financial Services and the Student Health and Counseling Service. In addition, I ask that members of our community be particularly sensitive to any students who might be affected by the storm and flooding.

In the last few days I have heard from many thoughtful and caring people asking how they can help. Such an outpouring of sympathy and generosity is characteristic of those who live, work and study here, and once again I am thankful to be a part of such a compassionate community. It appears right now that the most urgent needs are financial, and I encourage those who can and would like to contribute to relief efforts to do so through established, proven organizations, such as the St. Louis chapter of the American Red Cross — http://www.redcrossstl.org — or any of the charities listed on the Wise Giving Alliance website — http://www.give.org/news/disaster_tips.asp.

Our own United Way of Greater St. Louis has already committed $100,000 for relief drawing on its reserves, so the United Way is another worthy agency that is already assisting displaced people who have moved to the Greater St. Louis area.

In addition, many have written or called to ask how they can personally become involved in the relief efforts. Given the devastation of the area and the critical lack of food, water and gasoline, I believe it’s essential that we become part of a concerted, coordinated effort. Currently, those efforts are still being established through government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — http://www.FEMA.gov.

On Friday, September 2, from 1-3 p.m. in the McMillan Café on the Hilltop Campus, there will be a meeting of University representatives to discuss a university-wide initiative for hurricane relief. Sponsored by the Community Service Program, the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service, and the Campus Y, the meeting is for representatives of student groups, offices and departments that wish to develop and participate in a collective effort. Please consider sending a representative from your organization or area to this important initial meeting. For more information, go to: http://www.communityservice.wustl.edu/hurricanerelief.

This website also includes a submission form where individuals can offer their services to the relief effort.

There is one other aspect of Hurricane Katrina that you might have already heard about in the media, and I wanted to let you know how Washington University is responding to the needs of displaced college students. As you can imagine, there are many undergraduate and graduate students in the affected areas that are without a place to live and study for the coming months. We have already heard from some of these students, including many from the greater St. Louis region.

In order to help a number of these students and our colleagues at universities in the affected areas, Washington University will be accepting some of these students on a visiting, non-degree-seeking basis and also will be offering library privileges and work space to graduate students and scholars who need a place to work. There may also be a need to coordinate efforts to find housing for some of these students and their families.

I believe it is a sure sign of America’s strength in higher education that so many colleges and universities across the country are doing the same. We will be coordinating our efforts through the Association of American Universities and the American Council on Education.

I will try to keep you informed as this national tragedy unfolds, and I suggest you bookmark and visit our community service website — http://www.communityservice.wustl.edu/hurricanerelief, for updated information on how you can help.

Mark S. Wrighton

Chancellor