American Association of Communtiy Colleges (AACC) - is helping community colleges deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
On 9/2, the American Council on Education issued the overview of the national agreement reached with the more than 30 universities affected by Hurricane Katrina, and the various higher education associations/consortiums, for accepting the 100,000 displaced college and university students.
Hurricane Katrina's devastating impact on the Gulf Coast is a tragedy unparalleled in modern U.S. history. The American Council on Education (ACE) and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) have created CampusRelief.org as an information clearinghouse for both institutions and students as recovery from Katrina continues.
Community College National Center for Community Engagement will be listing examples of service-learning and volunteer hurricane relief efforts from community colleges on their website.
Ideas from Lyvier Conss, Executive Director:
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"Faculty in every discipline can develop service-learning initiatives to help with the hurricane relief while at the same time address the social, medical, economic and moral impact this hurricane will have not only in the affected states but throughout the United States and the world. Some ideas on how to help with hurricane relief would be the following:
- Adopt an institution of education (K-12, college, university or after school program) in LA, MS, or AL for the fall and spring semester.
- Raise money via your foundation or non-profit organization who would then send the money to the adopted school's foundation or local non-profit (it would then give everyone the tax deduction)
- Ear mark the money not to help re-build the schools (insurance will take care of that issue) but to provide financial assistance to the students to replace their books, school supplies, etc.
- Have a children's book drive and have the books shipped to the various schools to distribute to the children at the schools, after school centers, etc.
- Have your college or university donate (if legally possible) unused computers to a non-profit to set up computer labs or distribute to individuals.
- Develop holiday and spring break service-learning initiatives in those states to help rebuild communities."
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is providing resources in response to the hurricane.
Higher education institutions throughout Texas, and other states, are taking steps to meet the educational needs of students displaced by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. This message board, KatrinaCollegeStudents.org, has been established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as a clearinghouse establishing a central point at which colleges and universities can provide the latest information and answer questions about the opportunities they are making available to these students.
National Service Volunteers Step Up Hurricane Katrina Relief and Recovery Effort - From volunteer pilots reuniting families across the Gulf Coast region to AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers staffing emergency shelters for evacuees and distributing donated goods, national service programs and volunteers are on the front lines of the nationwide effort to provide vital assistance to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
From the National Service-Learning Partnership: Service-learning ways to help:
- Ask if your school, community organizations and local businesses will match donations for recipient organizations like those listed below. Monetary donations are often most effective because they allow organizations managing relief efforts to obtain and distribute most needed supplies. Use math skills, persuasive writing or make other curriculum connections for a service-learning fundraiser.
- Join with groups in your area who are supporting specific communities, or make direct contact with teachers and schools who may need assistance. Young people can use writing and public speaking skills to develop relationships with students in affected areas.
- Connect with Partnership members in affected areas through the member database to find out how you can help.
"In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation and displacement of thousands of individuals in the Gulf State area, National Student Partnerships (NSP) would like to formally extend our sincere condolences to all those impacted by this national disaster. We know many of our supporters were personally affected by this traumatic event. Consequently, the actions we take to contribute to the relief effort in the coming months will reflect our deepest sympathy for our friends, as well as for each person affected by this tragedy."
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) created an email list for administrators and faculty wanting to be connected to and possibly support the affected instititutions. It's approaching 700 members in less than two working days.
The Center for Purposeful Living is offering an alterative educational opportunity for Katrina victims: a year-long, full-scholarship for a dynamic and transformative service-learning program that offers a unique opportunity to discover one’s purpose in life and acquire skills to achieve one’s potential. The Center is an innovative, all-volunteer, non-profit, organization in Winston-Salem, North Carolina focused on service education and training for individuals and groups from all over the world. It is not affiliated with any religious or political organization. The program is practical and has the power to transform. Through study, service, and reflection, it builds common sense, clear thinking, interpersonal and leadership skills, and freedom from barriers. Outcomes include better relationships and communication skills, enhanced leadership and entrepreneurial abilities, practical life skills in time and money management, and the ability to remain positive and productive, no matter the circumstances. All are achieved while invoking and discovering greater love, compassion, joy, and connectedness to others.Contact inquiry@ufhg.org or Joanna White at (336) 761-8745.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of conservation service opportunities, is offering expense-paid internships nationwide for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. SCA provides housing, a living-stipend, possible academic credit, AmeriCorps education awards, insurance, and travel to the project site. SCA interns serve for 3 to 12 months and gain on-the-job experience with partners like the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and many other federal, state, and non-profit partners in conservation fields from archaeology, to education, history, wildlife studies, visitor services and everything in between! They are waiving the usual application process for displaced students and only require a resume and cover letter for these positions. Contact makecontact@thesca.org or 603-543-1700.
The U.S. Department of Education has set up a Web page - "Hurricane Help for Schools" - that will serve as a clearinghouse of resources for Americans who want to help the students displaced by the hurricane. This Web page is a forum where schools, companies and organizations across the country can come together and work to help students displaced by the hurricane. Companies and organizations can respond to the needs of students and send resources directly to them, and schools will be able to directly contact the companies and organizations offering help.
USA Funds, a leading education-loan guarantor, has announced a commitment of $1 million to provide financial assistance to college students in parts of four states that have been affected by recent hurricanes. USA Funds' financial support will provide assistance to low-income students attending schools in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi counties designated as federal disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency following the recent hurricanes.
Wikinews has compiled a by-state list of colleges and universities accepting displaced students as a result of Hurricane Katrina, aimed to be as updated and comprehensive as possible.