Campus Responds to Victims of Hurricane Katrina

Like the nation as a whole, the campus community is shocked by the devastation being wrought by Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana and the rest of the Gulf States. Emergencies like this one call for all of us to step beyond our normal practices to extend a strong hand to the people who need us so much.

The University of Maryland has opened its doors, hearts and arms to the affected students and faculty from Tulane and elsewhere. We will help them to the extent possible by minimizing administrative procedures for those who come to College Park to continue their studies and work. Substantial numbers of students have enrolled already and we do expect more.

I join with the campus staff, students and faculty in the call for personal support, as well as sympathy for all those affected by the disaster. A website listing organizations accepting donations is: http://www.fema.gov/.

C. D. Mote, Jr.
President

Welcoming Hurricane Ravaged Students

The University of Maryland is opening its doors to help students displaced from Gulf Coast universities to salvage their semester.

With well over 400 inquiries received by to date, university officials are working to identify courses with available seats to accommodate as many students as possible. Some 77 transfer students had been admitted by Sept. 7, as well as 50 freshmen. Students seeking assistance should contact Undergraduate Admissions Office at 301.314.8385 or the Graduate Admissions Office at 301.405.0376.

The majority of students who have contacted Maryland were enrolled at Tulane University or Loyola University in New Orleans. Many are Maryland residents who want to return home. The university is making every effort to assist others enrolling here to find housing in the local community.

Campus Relief Efforts Taking Shape

The university's Office of Community Service-Learning provides information on ways individuals can contribute to the hurricane relief efforts. Several student organizations have begun fund raising and other support activities.

Click here for details.

Counseling Services

The University Counseling Center is prepared to offer services to displaced students arriving on campus as well as current Maryland students who have family and friends in the hurricane ravaged areas.

Persons seeking counseling support should contact Jonathan Kandell or Akira Otani in the Counseling Center at 301.314.7651.

Spiritual Support

A Prayer Vigil for the victims of Hurricane Katrina will be held Sunday, Sept. 4 at 9:30 p.m. in the West Chapel at the university's Memorial Chapel. It is a simple service of prayer and meditation in the Christian tradition, sponsored by the Episcopal/Anglican Campus Ministry.

The University Chaplains are available as needed to the campus community and invite those who are so inclined to visit their worship community this weekend for prayer.

For a list of regularly scheduled campus religious services, click here.