On Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, an earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The world appeared to react instantaneously with an outpouring of aid, but what could be done on a college campus over 1,500 miles away? E.S.U. was quick to show that the answer to this question was not brief.
Almost immediately after returning to campus there was word of forming a committee to address Haiti relief efforts on our campus. This committee began to meet early in the second week of the semester and has met two additional times thus far.
Approximately 25 individuals have attended these meetings. Representatives have come from various areas of the campus, including faculty, staff, and students. APSCUF, the Alcohol Task Force, the Student Affairs, the Rec Center, and Disability Services were a few of the areas represented.
Many of these groups had already designed programs aimed at collecting donations to support Haiti. At the first meeting, it was determined that this committee would act as a coordinating committee to provide support and unity between the various Haiti Relief Efforts.
The current projects underway include the following:
• Residence halls are collecting $2 per student.
• Hemlock Hall is sponsoring a raffle called “Hope for Haiti.”
• In a joint-effort the Recreation Center and the Economics Club are sponsoring a Zumba fundraiser on Feb. 10 at 8pm.
• On Feb. 11, the Rec Center will be selling hearts for Haiti and will be showing an educational slide show.
• The Nursing Department is sponsoring a fundraiser at Sarah Street Grill on Feb. 15.
• University Faculty will be hosting a potluck dinner in Lower Dansbury on Feb. 17.
• As part of its international dinner series, Dansbury Commons will host a Haitian dinner on Feb. 24.
Additional activities and events are being discussed. The need for a sustained effort was emphasized as the effort to rebuild Haiti is sure to be long-lasting. The coordinating committee plans to hold their next meeting on Monday at 2 p.m. in room 205 of the University Center.
Be the first to comment on this article!