A Message from President Levin
To the University Community:
The catastrophic loss of life caused by Hurricane Katrina and the
harrowing physical and emotional ordeal suffered by the storm's
survivors have shocked and saddened all of us. Even as we hope
for the consolation of those who have lost loved ones, homes,
and livelihoods, many in our community are hastening to provide
what assistance they can to the survivors of this tragedy.
Here are some of the initial steps the University has taken to
provide relief to those displaced by the hurricane:
- Yale College will admit approximately twenty-five students whose
schools have closed. Tuition will be waived for all students and
their credit will transfer back to their institutions. The Graduate
School of Arts and Sciences, the Law School, the School of Management,
and the School of Drama also will accommodate dislocated students
under special arrangements. The School of Medicine is accepting
Tulane University medical students who need placement in clinical
rotations.
- We are providing library access and, where possible, office
and laboratory space for displaced faculty scholars who have family
nearby or research collaborators at Yale.
- Yale is assisting the City of New Haven is its efforts to bring
100 dislocated families to the area to begin rebuilding their lives.
Faculty members at the School of Medicine and the Department of
Psychology have offered to contribute care for the relocated families.
We will do what we can to make employment at the University a possibility
for some of those who resettle here.
In addition to these institutional initiatives, efforts to raise
funds are emerging throughout the University. For example, the
Yale School of Music and the Yale College Council have each undertaken
to organize benefit concerts this week, and the Chaplain has determined
that Battell Chapel will give its Sunday offering once a month
throughout the year to Katrina relief.
Individuals in the community
are also stepping forward to volunteer, including those offering
housing for relocated students and scholars. We will facilitate
as best we can these voluntary efforts.
To encourage everyone's participation,
I am pleased to announce that contributions up to $100 made by
Yale employees and students will be matched by personal contributions
from the Officers, Deans, and Fellows of the Corporation. The seven
Officers of the University have contributed $70,000, and the Deans
and Fellows have added sufficient funds to ensure that all student,
faculty, and staff contributions will be matched. I urge everyone
to join in this expression of community support for the victims
of this tragedy. Contributions may be made to one of several designated
agencies providing relief. Employees may sign up for a payroll
deduction, and students may choose to have their contributions added
to their bursary bill. Those who have already given directly will
qualify for matching funds by submitting evidence of their contributions.
For details, see http://www.yale.edu/katrina.
As the semester goes on, I am confident that the creativity of
this community will be directed toward finding as yet unimagined
ways to be helpful. In the weeks ahead, www.yale.edu/katrina will
provide up-to-date information on individual, institutional and community
activities in response to Hurricane Katrina. Those wishing to publicize
projects should contact rob.schwartz@yale.edu.
Yale has long been a community of concern, taking special care
of those within its walls. Now is a time to turn outward, to reflect
upon our common humanity, and to reach out with compassion. It is
a time for generosity of spirit. I thank you for all that you are
doing, and all that you will do, to help those in need.
Richard C. Levin
September 7, 2005
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