September 3, 2005

MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

Southern University Aids Evacuees

Portable showers to accommodate all guest purchased

Southern University has purchased four portable shower systems that will accommodate up to 80 evacuees at one time. The showers should be installed by Tuesday and they will provide opportunities for daily shower for all of our guest, said Interim President/Chancellor Edward R. Jackson. The F. G. Clark Activity Center at Southern University is home to 500 evacuees affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The University has also assisted the Red Cross at the F. G. Clark Activity Center in setting up a medical clinic shelter, which included five examination tables. At one point there were as many as six physicians and seven registered nurses which included SU School of nursing faculty and students and volunteer physicians from LSU and Tulane, said Janet Rami, dean of the SU School of Nursing.

According to Rami, several patients were referred to the hospital, one person with a broken leg, a person who had a seizure, and several children with extremely high fever.

Over 250 students, administrators, faculty, staff and community people have volunteered on a daily basis, the support we are receiving is tremendous, but we still urge people to come out and volunteer and donate needed items, said Diane Craig, executive associate to the president and system and community coordinator of the hurricane disaster relief.
The University is collecting the following items: children books, diapers, diaper wipes, blankets, pillows, socks, deodorant, towels, wash cloths, feminine items, underwear, shoes, toys, bibles, toothbrushes, tums antacid, toothpaste, pens and pencils, diaper cream, flip flops, latex medical gloves, bandages and magazines.

The items can be dropped off at the F. G. Clark Activity Center daily. To volunteer you must contact Diane Craig at 225.771.4680 to obtain an available shift.

Here's a look at other efforts the University is undertaking to help displaced victims:

The Southern University Rotaract Club and The Center for Service Learning are collecting the following items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotions, denture cleansers, soap, deodorant, small games and toys, male and female toiletries, baby clothes and diapers. Items should be dropped off at 1100 Harris Hall, Division of Continuing Education/Center for Service Learning. For further information contact Yvonne Campbell or Kristan Gordon at 225.771.2613.

Southern University Baton Rouge accommodates sister school Southern University of New Orleans. The Baton Rouge campus will honor enrollment of students registered at SUNO and will provide bed space with graduating seniors having first priority.

The University is also housing a hotline and website for students and employees of SUNO. The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. indefinitely. Students and employees can access the website at www.suno.edu.

Students seeking information and currently enrolled students at SUNO with an interest in completing courses at Southern University Shreveport or Southern University Baton Rouge must call 1.866.334.7638.

Employees of Southern University New Orleans are asked to call 1.866.334.8294 to provide current status and obtain needed information.

New Orleans and surrounding areas LS-LAMP students, assistance is available. Five area LS-LAMP campuses which include Tulane, Dillard, University of New Orleans, Southern University at New Orleans and Nunez Community College are host to scores of students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees. The LS-LAMP Statewide Management Office has received numerous offers from other AMP institutions across the United States to assist those students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Students, faculty and researchers of the LS-LAMP Institutions are urged to call Dr. Bagayoko at 225.205.7482 or Ms. McNeely at 225.266.6361 to provide current status and obtain information needed for assistance from AMP institutions. Pertinent information will be posted on the web at www.phys.subr.edu/timbuktu.htm or www.ls-lamp.org.