RELIEF EFFORTS

The University will be participating in many fundraising and volunteer initiatives in order to bring aid to the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina. The following is a list of the many ways that students, faculty and staff can help.

UM Convocation Center teams up with WFYI-Y100

Local radio station Y100.7 FM will be broadcasting live from the UM Convocation Center all day today, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., to raise donations to be sent to the Gulf Coast. Monetary donations will be collected for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and Florida’s Blood Centers will also be accepting blood donations to address the medical needs of those affected by the disaster.

UM-FSU football game

The UM Alumni Association (UMAA) Pregame Celebration was on site at Monday’s game to collect gifts and donations from anyone attending. The UMAA also coordinated relief efforts with the Florida State University Alumni Association to collect cash and check donations to the American Red Cross at gates around the Doak Campbell Stadium and the Florida State campus.

Presidential message

In addition to the relief efforts on site at Monday’s game, University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala recorded a public service announcement that aired during the broadcast of the game urging the community to support hurricane relief efforts.

University faculty providing assistance

The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science continues to provide high resolution satellite images from its Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS) to government officials and the news media.

Medical personnel from UM’s Miller School of Medicine are aiding Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Fl-5 Disaster Medical Assistance Team. These 35-member teams support medical facilities incapacitated by disaster, bringing their own medical and logistical supplies and equipment. In addition, two surgeons have been deployed to the area as part of the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2.

Fundraising

Fundraising initiatives are being coordinated through the University’s United Way Campaign office. Employees and students may direct their contributions to any nonprofit organization, such as the American Red Cross, through a United Way gift.

The University Bookstore is accepting donations at each register, with 100 percent of it going to the American Red Cross.

Volunteering

There will be a meeting today at 9:30 p.m. in the Flamingo Ballrooms A and B of the Whitten University Center for all students interested in assisting with hurricane relief.