Amherst College Responds to Hurricane Katrina

Letter from Tony Marx, September 5, 2005

We have all been witnessing the ongoing disaster of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Our thoughts are with the people who have lost their families, homes, and possessions. Communities across the nation are coming together to help the people of the Gulf Coast.  

The Amherst College community has begun to respond, even as students return for the new academic year. We are committed to making it possible for students to avoid further disruption in their education to the degree that we are capable of finding space at the College. The College will make no charges for students under such circumstances. We are expeditiously reviewing proposals for how to accomplish this goal. The Office of the Dean of Students has contacted students from the affected areas with an offer of assistance to them and to their families. Those who wish to reach the Dean of Students Office may call 413/542-2337. This week, the Office of Alumni and Parent Programs will be in touch with all Amherst alumni in the Gulf Coast region to announce the creation of one or more Hurricane Katrina listservs to help them communicate with one another and with us. In addition, plans are underway to establish a blog for students. I have been in touch with Jere Hochman, the superintendent of the Amherst Regional School System, to reach out to the high school’s recent graduates currently enrolled at colleges and universities along the Gulf Coast. The College plans to offer help to students and scholars in the areas affected by Katrina. Greg Call, the Dean of the Faculty, has communicated with our own faculty about helping faculty colleagues in affected institutions.

As individuals, I’m sure we all feel the need to respond in ways that are appropriate for each of us.

Scott Laidlaw, Director of Community Outreach, is coordinating a student-sponsored initiative to raise funds to assist in the relief effort. This week students will accept donations at the following times and places:

  • Wednesday, September 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Valentine Dining Hall
  • Thursday, September 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Valentine Dining Hall

A planning meeting, sponsored by Community Outreach, will be held on Wednesday, September 7,  at 8 p.m. in the Friedmann Room (formerly the Front Room) in Keefe Campus Center. All members of the Amherst College community are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Scott Laidlaw (413/542-5766 or slaidlaw@amherst.edu).

There are a number of organizations dedicated to providing immediate relief to the survivors of the hurricane. Here are links to several of them. If you know of other organizations that you suggest we include, please contact Stacey Schmeidel, Director of Public Affairs (saschmeidel@amherst.edu).  

Yours,

Anthony W. Marx

Amherst College > Response to Hurricane Katrina > Letter from President Marx