Hundreds of evacuees are staying at the UA Student Recreation Center in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

UA students read to children who are staying at the Student Recreation Center after evacuating their homes.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information on UA's efforts to assist those in need, please visit the Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts page.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Football fans attending the season opener for The University of Alabama will have an opportunity to show their support for victims of Hurricane Katrina as The University of Alabama works with the American Red Cross to collect donations at Bryant-Denny stadium prior to Saturday’s 6 p.m. game.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims of Hurricane Katrina and in addition to providing shelter for evacuees, we wanted to invite our fans to support the work of the American Red Cross relief efforts,” said UA President Robert E. Witt.

The University is offering its assistance to evacuees and students who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina through several initiatives.

The Student Recreation Center continues to serve as a Red Cross shelter for hundreds of evacuees from South Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The shelter was set up last Sunday on campus.

“We are pleased to be able to offer shelter and assistance to those who have been affected by the hurricane. The Rec Center staff and other University employees have been working around the clock to assist the Red Cross in providing shelter,” Witt said.

Other UA hurricane-related services include:

Providing evacuees with access to the Internet

UA has learned that one of the critical needs of our neighbors from South Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi is access to the Internet, to assist in locating friends and relatives and for registering with FEMA. In response, the National Alumni Association is making available the use of their Crimson Calling Center. The center’s 31 computers will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. as long as they're needed. Computer access will be on a first come, first serve basis. The center is located at 20 Research Drive, near Bryce Hospital, on the second floor of the McMillan Building. For more information call 348-5964.

Student Hurricane Assistance Center

The UA Dean of Students office has established a Student Hurricane Assistance Center to help students from the gulf coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with problems resulting from the storm. It will also help students who have sustained damage to property in the Tuscaloosa area.

The center will serve as a campus resource to address the special needs of students affected by the storm. Anticipated needs may include serving as a communication center to relay messages between students and parents in cases where cell and land line phones are inoperable, assisting with temporary housing for students who have been displaced by the storm, and assisting with academic needs for students who must leave campus to help family or deliver relief supplies.

In addition, the Counseling Center and the campus ministers are available to counsel students in the wake of the hurricane. For more information, students should call the Dean of Students Office at 205/348-6114 or come to 231 Ferguson Center.

Assisting students from other universities

In response to requests from a number of students whose academic careers are being interrupted due to Hurricane Katrina, UA has extended the registration period for college students from New Orleans and the Mississippi gulf coast area who want to enroll at UA for fall semester. Dr. Jacqueline Morgan, assistant director of admissions, will work with the students and expedite the process, assisting these students with admission, registration, housing and financial aid. Morgan can be reached at 205/348-2914, 205/348-8190 or Jacqueline.Morgan@ua.edu.

Assisting researchers from other universities

Dr. Keith McDowell, UA vice president for research, will be contacting research faculty at universities in the impacted area to offer use of UA facilities or to arrange cooperative efforts with UA faculty members. This is a critical area of need with several research universities impacted by the hurricane.

Community service

Students, faculty, staff and members of the community who wish to take an active role in the hurricane relief effort are encouraged to contact the Community Service Center on campus at 205/348-2865. The Community Service Center has launched the annual “Beat Auburn Beat Hunger” food drive early to collect non-perishable food for Hurricane Katrina survivors. Donations of non-perishable food may be delivered to the Community Service Center in 355 Ferguson Center or to drop boxes located around campus.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities at the Student Recreation Center shelter. Those who would like to help should report to the Red Cross registration table in the front lobby of the Rec Center. A staff member will direct volunteers from there. Needs include:

Child care -- Volunteers are needed to help care for children, including playing games with children, arts and crafts, etc.

Donations – Needed items include blankets, towels, washcloths, coloring books and crayons, baby formula and wipes, disposable diapers, Pull-ups, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toiletries in general, bottled water, women’s personal hygiene products and shaving cream. These items may be taken to the American Red Cross office or the Student Recreation Center. In the event of overflow, donations may be brought to the UA Community Service Center, located in 355 Ferguson Center.

The Salvation Army -- Cooks are needed to help prepare meals for hurricane refugees. Please call 348-2865 to sign up. The shifts are from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch) and 3-6 p.m. (dinner). Each shift needs at least five volunteers today, Thursday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 2. The Salvation Army also needs a vehicle and driver to help deliver meals on Thursday and Friday. To help with this request, please call 348-2865 and ask for Valerie Phillips or Megann Bates.