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UW-RF Announces Hurricane Relief Efforts

Contact: Mark Kinders (715) 425-3771

SEPT. 2, 2005--University of Wisconsin-River Falls Chancellor Don Betz announced plans to lead an initiative to adopt a school, school district, college, university or community in the disaster areas through which long-term efforts can be directed toward rebuilding and assistance.

"Immediate needs must be met, but long-term renewal is equally challenging," said Betz in an e-mail to students and staff. "As individuals, small towns, a large city and whole states begin to recover and reframe their futures, I believe that there is a service-leadership role for each of us and for UW-River Falls to willingly embrace."

This could include service-learning projects led by faculty to the disaster areas for direct assistance, Betz said.

"I thank you now for stepping up and helping the people at the other end of the Mississippi," said Betz of immediate donation efforts on campus. "We hold them in our thoughts and assist them with our actions and generosity as the coming days will teach us more of the reality none could have imagined only one week ago."

As students return for fall semester, they will find a link on the campus home page (www.uwrf.edu/katrina) that contains a clearinghouse of information for campus, community and regional assistance efforts. It will also contain links to make donations to the American Red Cross, a form for volunteers to sign up for times to help collect donations in the area, and a form listing resources that the campus and community can make available to schools, colleges and universities hit hardest by the disaster.

Other campus relief efforts in progress or planned include:

The UW-RF Bookstore will accept donations for the American Red Cross through their registers. Customers will be asked to donate $1 at the time of purchase.

A donation table will be set up and staffed from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. outside the Hagestad Student Center Sept. 7 - 9.

The Art Department will serve as a central, on-campus donation site for checks and money orders for major relief agencies such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Second Harvest. Contact Susie Zimmer for more information.

UW-RF Professor of Social Work Ogden Rogers, who is a regional coordinator with the American Red Cross, will organize a community drive at Dick's Market and Econofoods from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 9-14. Volunteer orientation is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Hagestad Student Center. Rogers also urges that those who wish to volunteer their time at the disaster sites do not go to the stricken region until agencies issue further calls for more volunteers.

The Art Department will hold a silent art auction on Oct. 27 to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Dean of Student Development Blake Fry and Executive Director of Student Services Greg Heinselman will coordinate with the Student Leadership Center to determine the need for an expedited blood drive.

A news release from the University of Wisconsin System appears below . Information from the UW System, including 26 campuses, is listed at UW HELP at http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/hurricane/. The UW System Higher Educational Location Program (UW HELP) will coordinate displaced students who wish to enroll at UW campuses, 1-800-442-6459 or http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu.

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UW System Campuses Reach Out to Hurricane Victims   

University of Wisconsin System
1700 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive
Madison, Wisconsin   53706
Phone (608) 263-5512   Fax (608) 265-3260
http://www.wisconsin.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              
September 2, 2005      
Contact: Doug Bradley   (608) 262-5061

MADISON--University of Wisconsin System campus communities are offering support to students affected by the effects of Hurricane Katrina, President Kevin P. Reilly said Friday.

"Many UW campuses are offering ways to help college students and others whose lives have been ripped apart by this ongoing disaster," Reilly said. "I believe the resources we can offer as a community of higher education will help many of the victims to recover and move forward."

Reilly noted that several UW campuses are prepared to welcome students enrolled in colleges or universities that are closed because of damage from the hurricane.   For example, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Waukesha, and UW-Whitewater are working to help students with opportunities to earn college credits that can be easily transferred to their schools once they reopen, as well as assistance with financial aid and housing arrangements.

The UW System Higher Education Location Program, or UW HELP, is ready to answer questions and connect students with specific UW campuses who can serve their needs. UW HELP can be reached at 1-800-442-6459 or at http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu

"I thank UW campuses for stepping up to offer these students a chance to recover and maintain their footing on the path of higher education," Reilly said. "We are working systemwide to do as much as we possibly can, which is why we've engaged our UW HELP toll-free hotline as a central resource that can respond to inquiries and calls for assistance."

UW campuses are also raising donations and providing aid for students and families whose homes have been destroyed by the storm, as well as for National Guard members called to duty.

"The students and staff who have been called to help in the relief efforts have the backing of the entire UW System, and we thank them for their service to this worthy cause." Reilly said. "I hope our efforts here in Wisconsin will make these life-altering circumstances a little less painful for the hurricane's victims. Our hearts go out to each of the families affected by this disaster, and we are here to do what we can to help."

For more information on campus efforts, visit http://www.wisconsin.edu

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