From the President
Posted: Monday, September 12, 2005Message Regarding Hurricane Katrina
All of us have been moved by the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Buffalo State College is a caring and compassionate community, and many have asked how they, personally, can contribute to recovery efforts. SUNY presidents recently participated in a conference call with Chancellor Ryan to discuss the systemwide response. All state colleges and universities will coordinate efforts through the American Council on Education and through the American Association of State College and Universities.
Just as our students rose to the challenge and raised funds for people displaced by the tsunami, many Buffalo State students are involved in efforts to assist hurricane survivors. Individuals who want to connect with involved organizations can contact Gail Wells, director of student life, Student Life Office, 878-4631.
For some members of our community, the disaster is taking a very personal toll. I have happy memories of time spent in New Orleans, and the images of the devastation are very painful, indeed. We are grateful that the family of our own dean of arts and humanities, Mel Netzhammer, a New Orleans native, has been safely evacuated to Houston. We are well aware of acute and long-term effects of stress and delayed stress and will continue to offer appropriate services for the long term as well as in the immediate aftermath. Individuals who wish to talk to someone about such stress should not hesitate to contact our Counseling Center at 878-4436 or one of our Employee Assistance Program coordinators.
Beyond the campus, Buffalo is home to numerous service organizations dedicated to helping others. Buffalo, the City of Good Neighbors, is a community of compassionate, generous people. We have an extensive network of civic, religious, and social service organizations ready to pitch in and assist survivors and evacuees. Again, the Student Life Office can help connect individuals to such organizations. Faculty and staff can also help by remembering appropriate service organizations with their charitable giving through the upcoming SEFA campaign.
Just as our students rose to the challenge and raised funds for people displaced by the tsunami, many Buffalo State students are involved in efforts to assist hurricane survivors. Individuals who want to connect with involved organizations can contact Gail Wells, director of student life, Student Life Office, 878-4631.
For some members of our community, the disaster is taking a very personal toll. I have happy memories of time spent in New Orleans, and the images of the devastation are very painful, indeed. We are grateful that the family of our own dean of arts and humanities, Mel Netzhammer, a New Orleans native, has been safely evacuated to Houston. We are well aware of acute and long-term effects of stress and delayed stress and will continue to offer appropriate services for the long term as well as in the immediate aftermath. Individuals who wish to talk to someone about such stress should not hesitate to contact our Counseling Center at 878-4436 or one of our Employee Assistance Program coordinators.
Beyond the campus, Buffalo is home to numerous service organizations dedicated to helping others. Buffalo, the City of Good Neighbors, is a community of compassionate, generous people. We have an extensive network of civic, religious, and social service organizations ready to pitch in and assist survivors and evacuees. Again, the Student Life Office can help connect individuals to such organizations. Faculty and staff can also help by remembering appropriate service organizations with their charitable giving through the upcoming SEFA campaign.
