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Office of Internal Communications
Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8196

September 6, 2005

COUGARS COME TO THE AID OF
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUEES

In June 2001, the University of Houston community helped families, friends and co-workers recover from Tropical Storm Allison. Now, four years later, Cougars are again lending a helping hand, but this time to evacuees fleeing from the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

One of the many efforts underway for evacuees focuses on college students.

Students enrolled at universities unable to open because of Hurricane Katrina are being accepted at all four UH System institutions, according to Donald Foss, senior vice president of academic affairs and provost. As of Friday, Sept. 2, more than 200 students from various universities, including Xavier, Tulane, Loyola and the University of New Orleans, have completed the application process, thus far. At least 100 staff members and between 20 to 30 student volunteers are working with these students.

In addition, the UH System has established the Katrina Student Assistance Fund to help cover the cost of books, school supplies, computer equipment, clothing and other needs for displaced students. The fund also will provide financial assistance to current UHS students from affected areas whose families have suffered from the hurricane. To donate to the fund, visit https://giving.uh.edu/katrina/.

Foss also noted that various UH units and programs, such as the College of Optometry, are expanding their services to the community as part of their educational process.

“I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of President Gogue, to express our deepest gratitude to all of our students, faculty, staff and alumni who are working with us in our efforts to assist our fellow students and colleagues, and to everyone who has stepped forward with offers of assistance,” Foss said. “This proves, once again, that the community can count on the University of Houston in times of crisis.”

Other UH-related hurricane relief efforts include:

  • The C.T. Bauer College of Business and The Honors College have established the Water Fund to purchase enough beverages to fill an 18-wheeler truck by Friday, Sept. 9. Donations to the fund may be made at any university venue where bins will be placed near cash registers. To make donations or for more information, contact Nicholas Broussard at kcinb@aol.com or at 713-446-2801.

  • UH Career Services is creating a Web page where corporate, business and governmental agencies can post temporary and/or part-time jobs for displaced workers. The page will be accessible by Wednesday, Sept. 7 at www.career.uh.edu.

  • The M.D. Anderson Library is a collection point of a drive to help children and adults of all of ages. The drive will collect books, stuffed animals, playing cards and dominoes. WWW United Inc., a local non-profit agency, initiated the drive and is partnering with UH and Sterling Bank. The organization will add more campus collections sites later. For more information, visit www.wwwunited.org.

  • The Metropolitan Volunteer Program (MVP) will begin a campuswide food, clothing, toys and supplies drive on Friday, Sept. 2. The MVP office is located in the University Center Underground, Room 53. Donors will receive free T-shirts. For more information, call 713-743-5200.

  • The Muslim Student Association will offer blue and white support ribbons for a $1 donation. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross. Ribbons can be distributed at the MVP office and at various locations on campus. The ribbons can be worn in support of the hurricane victims.

  • Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management student organizations are collecting canned vegetables, cereals, canned juices and bottled water through noon Friday, Sept. 9. A bin is located in the lobby of the hotel’s south wing. For more information, contact Mary Douglas at 713-743-2423.

  • The College of Optometry is extending services to Louisiana and Mississippi evacuees displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Patients who show a valid ID from either of these two states will receive a 70-percent discount on eye exams and will be offered new glasses at cost. There is no charge for repairing glasses. For patients without insurance or money, the University Eye Institute will provide professional services, also at no charge. For more information, call 713-743-2020.

  • The Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration’s faculty who are registered pharmacists have volunteered their services to local pharmacies and hospitals in the city. Fourth-year pharmacy students currently on clinical rotations with hospitals and pharmacies in the Houston area have volunteered to provide services to people at the Astrodome.

  • The College of Pharmacy Office of Student Affairs is assisting displaced first- and fourth-year pharmacy students of Xavier University with admissions, transfer and placement issues.

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu