Contact: Maridith Geuder
A student-organized disaster assistance effort, information sessions, and a prayer vigil are among events Mississippi State is planning this week in response to Hurricane Katrina.
"We're in tremendous sympathy with the unimaginable destruction so many Mississippians are experiencing, including many of our own students," said MSU President Charles Lee. "Our university family is pulling together to show support."
In an information session today [Aug. 31], students affected by the disaster will have a chance to learn more about MSU's response in the areas of academics, financial aid, and counseling resources, among others, Lee said. "The university understands that the lives of many of our students have been significantly disrupted, and we want them to know that we're here to help."
The 3 p.m. session in Colvard Union ballroom will include representatives from academic and student affairs offices and will provide a forum for students to ask specific questions.
A 7 p.m. prayer vigil tonight [the 31st] will remember all who have suffered losses from one of the nation's worst natural disasters. Campus ministers will lead the public event on the Drill Field.
As the state continues to reel from Katrina, the MSU Student Association is beginning a disaster assistance effort. During Saturday night's opening football game against Murray State University, the SA will help collect financial contributions to support Red Cross relief efforts and provide support for MSU students who have been affected. The Student Association will continue disaster assistance efforts over the next several months with a presence at most home football games, said Jon David Cole, SA president.
"We plan to set up donation bins in many campus buildings to collect items desperately needed by storm victims who are refugees locally," he said. "Items such as bottled water, toilet paper, diapers and baby food, and pre-packaged snacks are requested."
For more information about the disaster relief effort, telephone the Student Association offices at (662) 325-3917. For more about Wednesday's events, telephone the Division of Student Affairs at 325-3045.