Over 100 students, faculty and staff members met in The Commons at the University of Maryland Baltimore County on Friday, September 2, 2005 to grieve, to vent their anger, to learn and, ultimately, to take action. Hurricane Katrina — such a beautiful name for a killer — swept through the Gulf Coast changing lives and changing the region, possibly forever.
As our community offers condolences to those from, or with loved ones in, that area, we endeavor to do what we do best — learn and act. In our classrooms, our residence halls and gathering places we will learn: about nature's power, about the shortcomings of planned responses to Katrina, about how government and environmental policy led to a 'perfect storm' scenario, and we will learn about how we can be socially responsible and ACT to help repair the lives, homes, and institutions of that region.
Looking forward to those outcomes, I ask that community members visit this webpage frequently to stay informed of and participate in our related activities and fundraising efforts.
Dr. Charles J. Fey, Vice President for Student Affairs
Green type indicates that the a program, service or item
has been completed or is no longer available.
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| UMBC has identified the American Red Cross as the agency through which we will coordinate campus contributions. |
UMBC Admissions & Academic Support
Twenty-three students displaced from their educational institutions in the Gulf Coast region are now enrolled at UMBC. Please welcome them and help them know what it means to be a member of the
UMBC COMMUNITY! |
Undergraduate Admissions. UMBC has extended its Fall 2005 application and registration deadline to allow eligible students attending universities in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina to enroll for the fall term.
Admission will be granted on a space available basis to academically eligible students. Students must submit their admission application and be registered by September 14. Application and late registration and payment fees and out-of-state tuition differential will be waived. We will ensure that students, who have incurred non-refundable or non-credited expenses at any of the affected institutions, will not be financially disadvantaged in paying for tuition and fees. In addition, financial aid counselors will be available to assist eligible students in exploring need-based options. Academic advisors will be on-hand to assist students in selecting courses that may be applicable to their program at their home institution.
For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 410-455-2292 or 1-800-UMBC-4U2 or visit us at http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/apply.html.
UMBC Undergraduate Admissions Home
Graduate Admissions. Graduate students displaced by Hurricane Katrina are welcome to enroll as Visiting Students for the spring semester. However, Graduate School staff and faculty members will do everything possible during this fall semester to assist students who are interested in becoming visiting scholars during the fall term. Please contact Sr. Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Janet Rutledge (jrutledge@UMBC.edu), to explore possibilities.
Policies and Procedures for Admitting Students from the Katrina-Affected Universities
Doctoral Teaching Assistantships. To assist displaced students and faculty, a select number of teaching assistantships are available for doctoral students in the fields of Physics, Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, and Mathematics. These assistantships will provide qualified full-time doctoral students with teaching opportunities that offer tuition support, health insurance, and a competitive stipend for the academic year. Students interested should contact the Sr. Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Janet Rutledge (jrutledge@UMBC.edu) to explore the possible placement at UMBC. Arrangements will be made case by case.
Tuition-Free Online MS in IS. The state-of-the-art UMBC Online MS in Information Systems program will provide up to two courses for Master’s degree students who have been impacted by the Hurricane. Courses will be offered on a space-available basis at no cost for the Fall Term. Students, however, will be responsible for books and supplies. For additional information about being admitted to this online program, contact Shannon Keegan (keegan@UMBC.edu).
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A Family Awaits Rescue in New Orleans 8/29/05 |
English Language Center. The English Language Center (ELC) at UMBC is accepting International students displaced by hurricane Katrina who want to continue their Intensive English programs. Fall I session tuition will be waived and Fall II tuition discounted by 50%. All student fees for the Fall I and Fall II session will be waived. Fall I session started on August 29th and ends on October 14th. Fall II session starts on October 12th through to December 9th. Assistance with locating housing in the area and arranging for school transfer is provided. (Call 410.455.2831 or email elc@umbc.edu)
Faculty Office Space. For faculty members whose work has been disrupted by the storm and its aftermath, the Departments of Physics, Biology, Public Policy, Economics, English*, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, and Information Systems will each provide office space to a displaced faculty colleague interested in continuing their research for the academic year. Office space is limited; availability may be explored with the respective chair of the sponsoring academic department.
*The English Department offers (shared) office space, computer access, as well as other privileges and will assist with locating accommodations ( irmscher@umbc.edu or 410-455-2055.)
Other Academic Resources
U.S. Education Department. The Education Department has issued a statement concerning easing policy implementation to help continue the education of students displaced by Katrina.
"In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, following the initial effort by federal, state, and local authorities to provide basic support like food, shelter, and medical care, the Education Department has taken concrete steps to help Gulf Coast states, districts, schools, and hundreds of thousands of displaced and affected students and teachers regain a sense of 'normalcy.'"
Read the complete statement.
Sloan Consortium. Tuition-free online courses for students displaced from colleges shut down because of hurricane damage. (www.sloansemester.org/)
ASEE Clearinghouse. The American Society for Engineering Education is developing a clearinghouse of information for engineering faculty and students in the universities and colleges in the area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. For ongoing updates and information please view http://katrina.asee.org/.
Personal Assistance
University Counseling Services - All faculty, staff and students are welcomed and encouraged to consult with our counseling psychologists. They are prepared and willing to help. Appointments are encouraged, but students can be seen on a walk-in basis.
(Student Success and Development Center, Center Road, 410.455.2472)
Student Affairs Office - Students who need assistance other than that provided by Counseling Services should contact the Vice President for Student Affairs office. The staff stand ready to help in any way possible to assist you through this disaster.
(Call 410-455-3108, or email studentaffairs@umbc.edu)
On and Off Campus Housing Options
Undergraduate students seeking on-campus housing should contact the Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs.
(The Commons Suite 319, 410.455.3108, studentaffairs@umbc.edu)
Other members of the campus or surrounding communities that need housing or would like to make housing available should contact Off Campus and Transfer Student Services.
(The Commons Suite 309, 410.455.2770, ocss@umbc.edu) |
A woman reacts to Katrina's destruction in Biloxi, MS 9/1/05
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Making Contributions
Ed. Note: A number of people have indicated that they don't know of a good way to provide some direct help, while others are unsure of whether money will actually find its way to those most in need. Marcy Peri provides some answers.
"Several people have [said] that they would like to help with the problems caused by Katrina but don’t know how, so here is a list of places at LSU that are helping evacuees in Baton Rouge, should you be interested in helping. Apart from my daughter I have friends on the faculty there who tell me the campus is currently trying to absorb some 2,000 displaced students. In addition, many of already enrolled students have families that have been evacuated and are living in dorms and apartments with their students. I have spoken to several of the folks below (Pennington and University Methodist) and they would be grateful for any help they can get. Send things UPS if possible. The USPS service, particularly on campus, can be problematic."
Click here for Marcy's list and the opportunity to help directly some very needy people.
General Financial Contributions
Some 'safe' charity sites through which donations may be safely made:
- American Red Cross -- Identified as the agency through which UMBC will coordinate its contributions
Other Agencies:
Student organizations should contact the Student Affairs Business Services Center for information related to fund-raising events and contribution.
(The Commons Suite 335, 410.455.3451)
Food and Goods
Other than the direct-contribution programs listed above, there is no further information available at this time about contributing food products, goods or materials.
Arts-Related Relief Efforts
The Maryland Arts Council has shared some significant links for agencies involved with providing relief for the arts throughout the Gulf Coast region effected by the hurricane.
Additional Information
Some online services are available to help locate and determine the status of family members, friends or loved ones:
