The Observer, September 9, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2
Case helps victims of
Hurricane Katrina, the third most intense hurricane to hit the US, causing billions of dollars of damage and possibly taken thousands of lives, swept its way through the Mississippi delta last week. The port of New Orleans lies in ruins, fires burn throughout the city, and nearly 60 percent of the city lies deluged. Meanwhile the government, citizens, and institutions attempt to deal with the damage.
The hurricane touched land Aug. 25 in Florida as a Category 1 storm. A category one storm has winds that can travel at up to 95 miles per hour. In Florida, Katrina swept through the peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico, killing at least 11 people. At its peak, Hurricane Katrina reached to Category 5 while it moved through the Gulf of Mexico.
As Katrina moved through the nation, a state of emergency was declared on Aug. 26 by the Governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Blanco. On Aug. 29, the city of New Orleans had been ordered to go under evacuation. On the morning of the 29, Katrina hit Louisiana as a Category 4 storm with 140-mph winds.
However, some did not make it out of the city, due to a lack of transportation, money, or disbelief. Many did not believe that the hurricane would have such a devastating effect.
Of those who did not leave, between 12,000 to 15,000 people stayed in the Louisiana Superdome. The structure is now thought to have suffered so much structural damage that officials say it may have to be torn down.
Katrina hit hard along other states in the Mississippi region. Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, as well as Louisiana, have all been declared major disaster zones by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Over 350,000 people were without power in those regions as of Tuesday, Sept. 7. For many in other states, the storm hit nearly as hard as it did in New Orleans.
It is still unclear what the total casualties will amount to, but current estimates give hundreds dead in different states. The Mayor of New Orleans believes the city's death toll may reach into the thousands.
To help with the recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the response from higher level institutions was swift and unanimous. Led by nine of the leading higher education consortiums, universities across the country are offering discounted admission to students from the Louisiana Universities: Tulane, Dillard, Southern, Xavier, Loyola, and the University of New Orleans. Texas Wesleyan is waiving tuition and offering free books to some displaced students. Texas A&M is taking 1,000 students, and charging them the minimum allowable tuition.
Case is also joining the fray, offering half tuition to all Tulane students, a linearly rated room and board fee structure if students return to Tulane before the end of the semester, and permission to register for courses at Case as non-degree students for the fall semester.
Since the natural disaster, Case has received inquiries from about 50 undergraduates from the New Orleans region. "More than 50 of our students come to us from the region caught in the storm's broad path. Our staff is working with these students to help them through this terrible time," President Hundert addressed in a letter to the Case community.
Currently, at least eight undergraduates have enrolled as transient students. The university is also expecting other Tulane undergraduates to arrive at Case within the next week to begin or complete the registration process. Some undergraduates have requested housing and Case is currently working to accommodate their living arrangements.
In addition to certain benefits for Tulane students, Case is also working on fundraising events. As one of the projects in Case for Community Day, students and faculty will collect donations for hurricane relief agencies on Sept. 14. Part of the proceeds received from the annual Thwing Center Plant and Poster Sale, which runs through Sept. 9, will also benefit the relief efforts. Future fundraising events are currently being planned.
Case has also been participating in furniture donations for college housing. The university will be sending items such as beds, desks, dressers, mattresses and couches. The items are currently being sorted and prepared for delivery to colleges for that were affected by Hurricane Katrina.
In his letter, Hundert encourages students, faculty, and staff to help with the relief efforts as well as to remember the significance of life and of the lives around us. "We can all help the people in the region by contributing through the many relief channels and providing personal support to those we know and their families. We can help further by letting this national disaster be a reminder of the preciousness of life, and allowing that understanding to guide us in our actions toward our fellow human beings," Hundert wrote.
News Editor Elizabeth Zheng contributed to this story.
