Kentucky: Council on Postsecondary Education

Eastern Kentucky University
Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
September 9, 2005

“This is a caring campus community,” said EKU President Joanne Glasser, “and we wanted to help in a meaningful way those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy on the Gulf Coast.”
Those students displaced by the temporary closure of their colleges and universities due to Hurricane Katrina will not be charged tuition at Eastern Kentucky University. Students who have already paid tuition at another affected institution can enroll at EKU free of charge this semester. The University will work with interested students to address housing, textbook and meal plan arrangements.
Those storm-affected students not yet enrolled at another institution will be assessed EKU’s in-state tuition rate, as well as for books, meals, housing and other personal items. These individuals will be eligible for consideration for financial aid and scholarships.
EKU also will coordinate on a case-by-case basis any short- or long-term transitions for faculty members at any Gulf Coast schools temporarily closed by the hurricane. Points of contact are Dr. James Chapman, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Aaron Thompson, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management.
A hotline has been established for those students who are interested in learning more about EKU: 859-622-6454, or toll-free at 1-800-465-9191. Students may also contact the university at www.eku.edu.
Approximately 200 bed spaces are available in EKU campus housing.
As of this morning, EKU has enrolled three undergraduate students and one graduate student who have been displaced by Katrina closing their home institution.
43 media outlets and educational associations across the nation, including USA Today and several Gulf Coast daily newspapers, have been contacted about EKU's desire to assist displaced college students and to enroll them as "visiting students."
The EKU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee coordinated with the local American Red Cross chapter to sponsor a donation collection at the Colonels’ season opener Saturday night, Sept. 3, against Appalachian State. The students raised more than $1,500 toward relief efforts.
EKU's Model Laboratory School, with the assistance of parents and others, gathered supplies to assist a Southeast Louisiana community with which the school has enjoyed an exchange program the past 21 years and took them to Louisiana this past weekend.
The President has asked Dr. James Conneely, Vice President for Student Affairs, to develop a plan to provide services to students coming from the New Orleans area and all affected hurricane areas.
EKU continues to provide information to our students who want to help/donate.
President Glasser has personally written letters of encouragement to 10 currently enrolled EKU students whose homes in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi were impacted by Katrina.
EKU launched yesterday a website to provide information and frequently asked questions for current students wishing to help or donate.
The EKU Bookstore will allow any displaced students to get up to $300 in textbooks for the Fall Semester. The books will be "charged" to their student account and then credited back at the end of the semester when the books are returned. Additionally, they will support all EKU sponsored donations within the store.
EKU's Counseling Center has been placed on standby to assist with any "visiting students" attending EKU.
The EKU Corbin Student Government Association will be meeting today to decide on some Hurricane outreach programs in the Corbin area.
The EKU Middle School Association will be collecting funds through the "Beads for the Bayou" program with the American Red Cross. Donations will be used primarily to support teachers and the rebuilding of schools in affected areas, as well as supporting the Red Cross's efforts to victims. Donors will receive Mardi Gras beads so that they can show their support.
ARAMARK Corporation, that operates EKU's Dining Services, has numerous efforts in place to assist the refugees from the gulf coast, as we have many business partners and clients that have been seriously affected. The corporation has numerous shelters to whom it is serving emergency meals. Many of the Southern colleges and universities are assisting with incoming students serving them on other campuses that have not been affected. Many of our managers from various lines of our businesses have volunteered to assist serving at crucial locations in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas as well.
ARAMARK Corporation has set up a disaster relief fund for the American Red Cross. ARAMARK Corporation has given a $500,000 contribution directly to the American Red Cross. They have also set up a matching fund for contributions from ARAMARK employees. Our Corporation will match dollar for dollar contributions made through our corporate office to the American Red Cross.
At EKU, ARAMARK will set up a program for our meal plan students to donate a meal in the name of disaster relief. A student on a meal plan may enter the Fresh Food Company, have their ID Card swiped and the cost of the food allocation that would have been consumed will be donated to the American Red Cross. The student will swipe their card and then exit the dining facility. For each meal given up, ARAMARK at EKU will set aside $2.00 for the contribution. If each student on a meal plan gives up 1 meal, the potential contribution will be in excess of $5,000. We will designate Wednesday, September 14th, at the lunch meal, as the meal that students will be allowed to make this donation.
ARAMARK at EKU will work directly with the Housing Office to make specific arrangements for any students that have been affected by the hurricane disaster, for traditional closed periods and holidays. More specific information will follow from Dining Services.
EKU's Financial Management Association would like to sell Wave of Hope wrist bands.
EKU's Greek Affairs will be doing a donation table on Powell corner on 9/8, 9/9, 9/14, 9/15, 9/16.
EKU's Greek Affairs will also be doing a benefit concert in the Ravine at 8pm on 9/19.
The Office of Volunteerism is working with several groups and organizations:

Red Cross – Madison County 859-623-1336
Red Cross will accept donations of money at their office next to the courthouse on Main Street. Volunteers are needed at the local office with support work.

Contributions obtained during the "Sleep Out for the Homeless" will go toward hurricane relief efforts.
Refugee students transferring to EKU will be provided basic necessities when living on campus. Housing will provide sheets, pillows, blankets and towels as well as basic toiletries for students when they arrive. Arrangements are being made with the campus laundry vendor to provide laundry services as well. Students will be provided opportunity to academic year housing if they are interested. Point of contact is Kenna Middleton, Director of Housing.
EKU Housing and Campus Dining will partner together to set students up with appropriate meal plans for the semester. Additionally, various food options will be available for students that will be required to remain on campus during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
The First Year Experience Community Service floor, the Floor of Promise, University Housing, and the College of Education are partnering together to conduct a children's book drive. Books will be distributed to children impacted by Katrina. Additionally, these groups will be working together with the Office of Volunteerism to conduct "after school" activities for persons displaced to London and Corbin.
The Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross is working with EKU's Division of Media Resources to produce a TV program on local hurricane relief efforts.

Update: Eastern Kentucky University Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts