College to Help Hurricane Relief Effort
September 6, 2005Like many colleges and universities across the nation, we have been shaken by the devastation resulting from Hurricane Katrina. In response, Springfield College is taking steps to provide assistance to victims of the hurricane, especially in the city of New Orleans but also in other parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
We will provide temporary admission to the College, on a visiting-student basis, for students who had planned to attend a hurricane-damaged institution and now are unable to do so. For the most part, these students will probably be area residents. Since Springfield College residence halls are nearly at capacity, we are not able to provide housing at this time, but we will help students find local accommodations as needed.
Springfield College has registered with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Massachusetts Campus Compact, and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. These registrations signify our intent to consider these students for admission, on an individual, case-by-case basis.
The College has also established a Springfield College Katrina Relief Fund, which will serve as a central collection point for all contributions made for hurricane relief by students, student organizations, faculty, and staff until September 22, 2005 – the date of Humanics in Action Day, the annual community work day for Springfield College students, faculty, and staff.
Contributions to the Springfield College Katrina Relief Fund, in the form of checks or cash, may be sent to the Office of Advancement Services, located in Marsh Memorial. All funds will be designated specifically for the hurricane-relief efforts, and will be forwarded to formal hurricane-relief organizations.
A number of members of the Springfield College community – students, faculty, and staff – have been called to on-site duty with various organizations helping to ease the pain of the devastation caused by Katrina. We honor them and the organizations they represent.
Our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been disrupted by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We hope that in our own small way, our efforts will help these individuals return to their normal lives, and assist area students in continuing their education during this time of uncertainty.
Sincerely,
Richard B. Flynn,
President
