Hurricane Katrina has wreaked a level of destruction unprecedented in any natural disaster in our history. Many lives have been lost or destroyed, and the extent of human suffering in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama is hard to comprehend. Our hearts go out to all of those affected by the storm and its aftermath.

Many agencies and branches of government are working furiously to try to meet the needs of the survivors. Each of us, I know, has an impulse to want to help in some way. We have been told that the most immediate need is for resources, so that the organizations on the ground in those states can provide the basics of food, water, shelter, clothing, and medical care. The best thing we can do to help is to give generously to the organizations providing relief. These include the American Red Cross, United Way, the Salvation Army, Northwest Medical Teams, and other relief organizations. Information on where to send donations may be found on the web sites listed below.

As members of an academic community, we can also make some unique contributions. A number of universities in these states, particularly those in and around New Orleans, will not be able to resume classes for quite some time. Many universities are opening their doors for students from these institutions to continue their education. In the case of the University of Washington, we expect inquiries from perhaps 50-100 students attending universities in New Orleans, most particularly Tulane University. We will welcome these students to temporarily continue their studies at UW for as long as it takes for Tulane to reopen. Our plan is to accommodate students in a program comparable to the one in which they were enrolled and to have the tuition revenues that would normally go to Tulane continue to be directed to that institution. It is critically important for Tulane and other universities affected by this disaster not to lose revenue and to have students return to their universities as soon as they reopen, whenever that may be.

Several fine professional and graduate schools in New Orleans have also been affected by the storm. Deans from around the country are accepting students into their classes. In particular, medical school deans are participating in an emergency conference through NIH to determine how best to assist these medical centers in this time of critical need.

We are also working through University Libraries with colleagues at Tulane and its neighboring institutions on plans to preserve their library holdings. Without electricity and adequate climate control, library holdings may be at risk, and our librarians and others around the country are working to address this issue.

The magnitude of the disaster will grow in the coming days and weeks. Recovery will be enormously expensive and will take years. Right now, emergency relief agencies are trying to help people survive, and our dollars and support are urgently needed. I know our community will respond as it always does in times of need, with compassion and generosity.

donation web sites:
www.redcross.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm
www.uwkc.org
www.nwmedicalteams.org

Related information:

Message on UW Medicine's Response to Hurricane Katrina Disaster from the UW Vice President for Medical Affairs