Carnegie Mellon Responds to Hurricane Katrina

September 2, 2005

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

As you know, the damage in New Orleans and the gulf coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama caused by Hurricane Katrina has been catastrophic. We continue to extend our deepest sympathy, concern and best wishes to those who are suffering through this ongoing ordeal.

Carnegie Mellon, like many individuals and organizations in Pittsburgh and throughout the nation, is mobilizing to help those who have been affected. I urge all faculty, staff and students to help by supporting the many relief efforts that are underway on and off campus. The Office of Student Development is working with students to plan ongoing outreach opportunities, and you can find complete information about a variety of ways to help at www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/katrina.

We are also maintaining close contact with our 31 undergraduate and graduate students from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama who may have been directly impacted by this tragic event and are offering our assistance to them and their families. Efforts are being made to contact alumni in those areas, as well. I want to underscore the availability of support for all members of the community available through our Counseling & Psychological Services at x8-2922.

We have spoken with a small number of Tulane students and have offered them the opportunity to take the fall semester here as non-degree students, with attendant student supports, including housing and dining. We are also in close contact with the Association of American Universities (AAU) and other colleges and universities involved in helping students from the affected area, in order to ensure that we act in a coordinated fashion to provide the most relevant support to students in need. I am pleased with the manner in which the higher education community has stepped up at this time of crisis, and we will continue to be an active part of that effort.

I am grateful to all of you who have shown the Carnegie Mellon spirit throughout this week, and will in the weeks ahead, in your support for those impacted by this unprecedented event.

Sincerely,

Jared L. Cohon
President

September 2, 2005