BGSU to aid residents of Mobile, Alabama

BOWLING GREEN, O.—While the campus community plans collection drives to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina, Bowling Green State University already is offering classes to students displaced as a result of Katrina’s fury.

“As part of a statewide initiative, Ohio residents attending or scheduled to enroll at campuses on the Gulf Coast affected by the historic disaster will be able to pursue their education at BGSU,” said University President Sidney Ribeau.

Ohio Governor Bob Taft and the Ohio Board of Regents are establishing a call center through the College Access Hotline to aid students affected by the hurricane. Starting Tuesday (Sept. 6), affected students can call 1-877-428-8246 to speak with a college access consultant who will connect students directly to campus contact persons in their appropriate programmatic and geographical areas. The contact at BGSU is Dr. Mark Gromko, vice provost for academic programs.

The BGSU Undergraduate Student Government and the Graduate Student Senate will begin collecting funds for the Alabama Gulf Coast chapter of the American Red Cross starting Sept. 9 at the annual CampusFest. The donations will assist the people of Mobile, Ala., who offered their warm hospitality to the BGSU community last year during the GMAC Bowl Game there, Ribeau said.

In addition, USG and GSS will sponsor a table in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Sept. 12-16 to collect donations for the Alabama Gulf Coast Red Cross. The efforts are being coordinated by the Office of Campus Involvement.

Classified and administrative staff will collect donations with the BG Gives Back Charitable Campaign. The groups will have a table at CampusFest next Friday (Sept. 9). A raffle also is being planned. All proceeds collected for the United Way that day will go to hurricane relief.

At least 10 BGSU students are thought to be among those in the Ohio National Guard who have been activated to serve as part of the national effort to assist in the region affected by the nation’s worst natural disaster.

American Red Cross

(Posted September 06, 2005)