In response to the outpouring of concern for Hurricane Katrina's millions of
victims, I wanted the FIU community to know of all of the efforts already begun
on their behalf. I also want you to know that more is being planned. For those
of you who want to volunteer, there will be many opportunities over the coming
weeks where your participation will be most appreciated.
Starting with the Admissions Office's response to the calls of parents of
students displaced by the storm, FIU has opened its arms. On Thursday more than
100 students from Loyola University, Tulane University, the University of New
Orleans, Delgado Community College, and several others enrolled in FIU and have
begun taking classes. Because of the overwhelming
response to this effort, the Admissions Office will open enrollment again next
week on Tuesday so that more displaced students will be able to continue to
pursue the dream of a college education.
To put on human face on our relief efforts, I want you to know about Julio Del
Valle and his wife Dione Carmona. Married just three-and-a-half weeks ago, this
young couple left New Orleans just ahead of Katrina's wrath. They arrived in
Miami with just a few belongings and their car. They had nowhere to stay and
very little money. Your university, FIU embraced them.
Now, instead of having to cut short their education, they have enrolled here,
are staying in the home of an FIU professor and will start work and classes here
next week.
Your Health and Wellness Center has already planned two blood drives for next
week. The first drive will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6th
between the bookstore and the Gold garage at University
Park. The second drive will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September
7th in the bus loop between the Library and Academic I at Biscayne Bay Campus.
Your student government, student organizations and Greek organizations have
already mobilized and are pitching into to help organize FIU's largest ever
relief effort.
Volunteers are already planning a concert festival patterned after the
successful Live-Aid concerts. We have tentatively selected Saturday, October 8th
as a date and will be giving you updates and telling you of ways you can help
make this event a success in the coming days.
The proceeds, supplies, food and water that we raise and collect from this event
will all be donated to our sister Sun Belt Conference institution the University
of New Orleans (UNO), which was hit very hard by this storm. We have adopted
UNO, where Julio Del Valle was attending school,
and have begun a dialogue with Chancellor Tim Ryan to let him know that help is
on the way and to find out what more we can do. When you begin to see next week
fraternities and sororities collecting food and supplies, please lend a hand and
make a donation. Also, please participate When you
see exhibits and activities in the Graham Center sponsored by the Counseling
Center and Student Government.
In my nearly 19 years as president of this great university, I have never been
as proud as I am now by the culture of caring that I have witnessed around our
campuses. Katrina's fury and path of destruction have left many of us in a state
of shock. As our nation and community coalesce around this tragedy, it is
important that we proceed with all deliberate speed in our efforts to help the
victims rebuild their lives and communities.
If you want to join FIU's efforts, please contact Mark Riordan in the Media
Relations Office at 305-348-2232 or through email at
riordanm@fiu.edu.
I want to thank those who have already gone above and beyond the call of duty by
reaching out to the victims of this storm.
