INSIDE ON CAMPUS

University community unites to provide hurricane relief

Through special events, fund raising, the deployment of advanced technology and volunteer activities, the university community has responded to the extraordinary need for relief from the tragedies caused first by Hurricane Katrina, and days later by Hurricane Rita.

The American Red Cross Club at UT Austin sponsored fund raisers on campus to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, collecting more than $10,000. Photo by Andrew Thompson

Before the Ohio State vs. Texas football game on Sept. 10, President Larry R. Faulkner announced that the two universities were joining forces off the field to marshal support for Hurricane Katrina victims.

“Katrina has presented Americans with a natural disaster of enormous proportions,” Faulkner said. “The human tragedy is heartbreaking. Relief must come from partnerships, and I am proud that Texas and Ohio State will step forward together. Our students, staff, alumni and fans can make a big difference to the millions in need.”

The two universities teamed up to encourage donations to the American Red Cross through a series of pre-game events, e-mail outreach to their hundreds of thousands of alumni and the use of their network public service announcements during the game.

As the enormity of the relief effort became apparent, help came from all segments of the university community.

The administration offered support by enrolling about 450 visiting students whose colleges and universities in the New Orleans area are unable to operate as they attempt to recover and rebuild.

Faulkner praised the efforts of deans, department chairs, the staff of the Office of Admissions and others to accommodate the specially admitted student at UT to allow them to continue their educational progress.

“The University of Texas family has once again shown its compassion and caring spirit,” Faulkner said. “We welcome all of these new students to our campus and wish them the best of success in their academic careers and in their lives ahead.”

Faculty expertise helped save lives through the deployment of sophisticated technology to assist water rescue efforts for thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims.

Vice President Dick Cheney, in a visit to Austin on Sept. 10, acknowledged the work of a research group from the university’s Center for Space Research (CSR), who used sophisticated satellite mapping technology to assist water rescue efforts for thousands of Katrina victims.

Working within the State Operations Center of the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management, an eight-person research group from the Center for Space Research used satellite and global positioning system technology to coordinate rescue efforts for New Orleans survivors. The team also managed the state’s mass care shelter database and helped evacuees by tracking the availability of hundreds of shelters across Texas.

The team also assisted environmental organizations, such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as they began cleaning up the massive pollution Katrina unleashed in the New Orleans area.

Bradford Howard, a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts, lights a candle in remembrance of Hurricane Katrina victims during a vigil amd relief fund-raiser on campus Sept. 21. The event was sponsored by the Big XII Council of Black Student Government and the Black Student Alliance at UT Austin. -Photo by Marsha Miller

When the UT System sought volunteers among faculty and staff to provide shelter to families and individuals of sister institutions displaced by Hurricane Rita, more than 500 employees responded, including more than 250 from UT Austin.

The university’s Hearts of Texas Charitable Campaign opened three weeks early to provide a way for employees to contribute to the hurricane relief efforts.

 The Texas Exes opened their hearts and their wallets during the Louisiana-Lafayette pre-game open house at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. About $10,000 in cash donations was collected for the Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund. The UT Red Cross Student Club coordinated with the Exes on the effort. Several Texas Exes chapters have held donation drives, as well. Donations also were collected at the home football game against Rice University on Sept. 17.

Several benefit concerts raised funds, including an event at the Frank Erwin Center to help people from the Gulf Coast region who were forced out of their homes, schools and jobs because of Hurricane Katrina and a comedy show at Bass Concert Hall to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

Personal stories from volunteers who provided help best captured the spirit of  people suffering, but refusing to give up.

Maureen E. Davis, a clinical instructor and graduate student in the School of Nursing, was among the volunteers at the Austin Convention Center on Sept. 3.

“I went not knowing what I would be asked to do, but willing to help in any way I could,” she said. “When I think back to that night, I remember most each of the people who I cared for and what it meant to them, my being there. I hope each person who volunteers knows how much his or her presence and caring means to the evacuees.”