Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A relief fund now is in place at Mississippi State to provide assistance to members of the university family affected or displaced by disaster, including Tuesday's apartment fire in Starkville.
Joint efforts to raise monies for an MSU Relief Fund are a collaboration among the Division of Student Affairs and its Dean of Students' Office, MSU Foundation, athletics department, and Student Association.
"The MSU family is reaching out, particularly to students and faculty members who were affected by the April 6 fire at Crossgates Apartments in west Starkville," said Thomas Bourgeois, dean of students.
"While our immediate focus is providing assistance to the fire victims, this relief fund also will be used to help in the day-to-day crises that happen, as well as future catastrophic events that may affect the university community," he explained, adding that his office will administer the fund.
Individuals or organizations may make gifts at any time via the foundation's secure online link, http://www.msufoundation.com/.
Also, a special fundraising drive will take place Friday [April 9] prior to MSU's home baseball game with the University of Arkansas. When Dudy Noble Field gates open at 4:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. game, SA officers and MSU Orientation Leaders will be in place to accept contributions. Checks should be made payable to the MSU Foundation and designated "MSU Student Relief Fund."
"The Student Association is very pleased to be a part of the efforts to build a special fund to assist members of the MSU family who may be victims of tragedies and natural disasters," said senior Thomas Sellers of Canton, the student body president.
"Students, in particular, requiring assistance always are welcome to contact the SA office and inform us of their needs," he added.
For more information about the fund and relief effort for Crossgates fire victims, telephone the SA at 662-325-3917.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.