Mount St. Mary's University Responds to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Members of the Mount Community ,
The news from New Orleans and the Louisiana and Mississippi gulf coast appear more dire by the hour. The reports of homeless, hungry and desperate people trouble our hearts. Our entire university community is concerned about the many people, family and friends who are suffering from the worst natural disaster in our nation's history.
Clearly, we must respond in a thoughtful and deliberate manner.
I have been in touch with other presidents from throughout the country to determine how those of us in academia can provide help to students and colleagues who face an uncertain future. I have heard estimates that more than 40,000 students are displaced from colleges and universities in the hurricane area, with no indication of when they will be able to resume their studies.
This morning, more than 40 members of the University Leadership Team met to discuss how best to respond to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina-with the intent to focus our efforts on helping the students, faculty and staff displaced in the three hardest hit states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
As we discussed our response, I was extremely proud of the Mount's call to action to act in meaningful ways to help those who have lost so much. It is clear that our community recognizes that our vocation to love others also requires us to act.
Based upon our discussion this morning, I have outlined the following action steps that we are immediately pursuing.
General Relief
We have begun collecting funds, which will be deposited in a special account and distributed to both Catholic Charities and the American Red Cross for general relief services. For more information or to make a donation to this fund on behalf of the Mount community, please contact Frank DeLuca, vice president for university affairs, at 301-447-5361.
Our Spiritual Response
I have our university spiritual team, along with Seminary Rector, Msgr. Steven Rohlfs, to coordinate a day of prayer and special services to offer prayers and spiritual support for students, teachers and staff of colleges and universities in the affected area. We will hold a number of special services and Masses this weekend and next week.
Our Academic Response
Our academic team is exploring the following initiatives:
• Find a means to enroll students from the hurricane area on either the main campus or through our accelerated programs at the Frederick , Maryland , campus.
• Work with the Department of Education to facilitate transfer of financial aid.
• Develop strategies for flexible transfer of credits so those students who may come to the Mount can easily transfer credit to their colleges/universities.
• Use this opportunity to focus our curricula on the needs of others- and to especially address issues of poverty, race and culture.
• Provide tuition assistance to displaced students.
• Develop a plan to invite displaced faculty to the Mount for a sabbatical, or to help teach through our adjunct faculty program.
Our Seminary Response
Msgr. Rohlfs has been in contact with Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans . We have offered to take 10 seminarians immediately. Msgr. Rohlfs will be in touch with other rectors in the hurricane area to offer the Mount to those men whose seminary work is disrupted.
Our Student Affairs Response
Our student affairs team is working on the following initiatives:
• Coordinate student housing on and off campus for potential students.
• Through Community Services, coordinate a giving program for students.
• Work with our student government association to engage our students in the relief efforts.
• Investigate shifting spring service trips to the affected areas.
• Work with foodservices and the bookstore to provide special services to displaced students.
• Prepare to offer additional counseling and support services to displaced students and our own community.
Our Advancement response
The advancement team is working to:
• Provide assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Administration officials in Emmitsburg and the surrounding area.
• Revise our annual fund initiatives to include a request for relief funds for victims of the hurricane.
These are indeed sad and troubling times. I know that many of the Mount community have family and friends in the hurricane area. The news of the devastation is incomprehensible for most of us. We will do all we can to mobilize our community and resources to help.
Let us offer our prayers that the suffering is eased and that services and support are provided as quickly as possible. Let us also pray for the families who have not heard from love ones and for those who are providing relief that they may have courage and strength.
Two closing thoughts:
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
- Albert Schweitzer
"Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others."
- Saint Augustine
Peace.
Thomas H. Powell
President
