Carnegie Mellon Responds to Hurricane Katrina

September 8, 2005

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

Let me express my gratitude for the manner in which so many of you have stepped up in support of those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. In true Carnegie Mellon fashion, you have looked upon the difficulties of others and made their burden your own. It is a profound testament to the character and caring of this community.

Our students, faculty and staff from the affected area continue to receive support from all corners of the campus. Our undergraduate students from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, in particular, face the difficulty of continuing their studies while worrying about the ongoing challenges faced by loved ones. The services of our Counseling and student affairs staffs continue to serve those in need, and you should contact Jennifer Church, interim Dean of Student Affairs, if you are aware of any unmet needs for these members of our community.

We currently have 15 students from affected schools, primarily Tulane University, on the campus, with another 10 or so arriving in the coming days. These students are from all over the country in an array of disciplines. Faculty and academic staff have been terrific in their support throughout. Students, as well as faculty and staff, have offered up housing, clothes and all manner of support to ensure that these students are truly our guests this semester. Consistent with the proposal by the AAU and others, the tuition these visiting students have paid to Tulane will remain there, without further charge for classes taken here this semester.

I am also gratified by the fundraising efforts, special events, and offers to help out directly in this crisis. Information on these activities will continue to be updated on http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/katrina/. In taking on a share of the cost and effort of recovery, we show our citizenship and our unfailing commitment to others in times of need.

There is no question that the crisis and resulting need for those directly impacted will continue in the weeks and months to come, and I am proud of your resolve to maintain our support throughout.

Sincerely,

Jared L. Cohon
President