A Letter from President Daniel J. Curran on the University of Dayton’s response to victims of Hurricane Katrina

As we live each day through our commitment to the founding principles of what it means to be a Catholic and Marianist institution of higher education, the University of Dayton stands with the nation in mourning the victims of the terrible tragedy in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. I ask that you keep all of those along the Gulf Coast in your prayers. Some of these individuals, we know, have a direct connection to the University of Dayton or are part of the extended family network of our faculty, staff and students. They all need our comfort, kindness, generosity and support. How can we help?

We are committed to finding solutions to help the survivors rediscover hope and rebuild shattered lives. It is important to offer students from the hurricane-stricken area as much continuity as we can until they can resume studies at their home institutions. To that end, we will offer academically qualified undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at colleges and universities in hurricane-stricken areas the opportunity to take fall semester classes at UD on a space-available basis so that their education will not be interrupted by the devastation of the storm and recovery efforts.

Further, UD will not charge tuition to the displaced students whose families are from the Gulf Coast region and were affected by the hurricane. However, for students not from the New Orleans area but who had planned to attend one of these schools, UD will do its best to make room for them if they meet our admissions standards. We will offer them whatever aid they would normally qualify for as an incoming UD student.

While we already have admitted a handful of students, we may be able to accommodate up to as many as 100 students. In addition, graduate and law students will be considered on an individual basis, depending on available space. Campus housing is already full, but we will work, on a case-by-case basis, to address the requesting students' needs. We have many alumni and other friends of the University who are ready to aid these students.
Students seeking to enroll in the visiting student program should contact the office of admission at (937) 229-4411. I urge you to warmly welcome them with our Marianist charism that is truly characteristic of the University of Dayton.

We have requested that the following associations inform displaced students that we are accepting them: Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Jesuit Universities.

There also are a number of activities across campus and in our community to collect donations — monetary and supplies — in support of hurricane relief efforts. Catholic Charities, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are all involved in raising funds and offering relief efforts to help aid those whose lives have changed … possibly forever. I encourage you to contribute to these or other donation drives as you are able or to help in other significant ways. Please do what you can individually and, when appropriate, collectively as a part of the University community.

With supervisory approval, I have authorized up to three weeks of continued salary and benefits for full- and part-time staff who wish to volunteer to assist with recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast area. The relief efforts in which staff members wish to participate must be coordinated with the American Red Cross or another appropriate agency. If you are interested, contact the office of human resources for more information about this process.

Campus Ministry is calling the University of Dayton community to participate in a Day of Prayer for Hurricane Victims and Recovery Efforts on Monday, Sept. 12, the two-week anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall on the Gulf Coast.

The Day of Prayer will include:

• The 12:05 p.m. Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel offered for all the victims of the hurricane and for the relief and recovery efforts.
• A Prayer Vigil, including Exposition of the Eucharist, will take place in the Chapel from the end of Mass until 4:30 p.m. Students, faculty and staff are invited to sign up for 15- or 30-minute prayer periods throughout that time. The sign-up list will be on a table in the back of the Chapel.
• The Prayer Vigil will conclude with a special Prayer Service/Litany beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Chapel.

In the coming days, you will learn more about what you can do, as a part of the University of Dayton community, to reach out to aid those who will be in need for many months to come. As they become available, additional details will be posted at KatrinaRelief.udayton.edu.

Please join me in thoughts and prayers for everyone along the Gulf Coast.

Sincerely,

Daniel J. Curran, Ph. D.
President