Media Contact:
Keith Nichols, News Services, 919/515-3470

Sept. 1, 2005

NC State Responds to Needs of Hurricane Katrina Victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

North Carolina State University expresses its concern and support for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

In response to the tragic events on the Gulf Coast, NC State is taking a number of steps to offer assistance to those in need. These include the following:

• The university will accept students from colleges and universities directly affected by the hurricane. NC State is working to provide on-campus and distance education programs to as many affected students as possible. For up-to-date information, go to www.ncsu.edu/registrar/hurricane/.
• NC State students have organized "Compassion in Action," a hurricane relief effort. All donated funds will be directed to the American Red Cross, National Disaster Fund. For more information, visit www.ncsu.edu/univ_relations/compassion.html.
• At Sunday night’s football game against Virginia Tech, student-athletes from virtually all available NC State varsity squads will be volunteering their time to collect funds for hurricane victims. Fans should look for “Hurricane Relief” signs at each of the public stadium gates to contribute to the effort. These gates will be staffed by student-athletes with American Red Cross donation buckets.
• NC State is contacting its students from the hurricane-affected states to offer financial assistance, as needed.

"We join the nation in mourning the loss of life from Hurricane Katrina, and all those affected are in our thoughts," said Chancellor James L. Oblinger. "In the NC State tradition of service, we are using our resources to make a difference. Today we opened our doors to students who have been affected by this disastrous hurricane. We welcome these students to the NC State family, and we offer them our support. Across campus, our students, faculty and staff are organizing to provide assistance and relief to those in need. The scope of loss and destruction is unimaginable, but our hearts can understand the connection between ourselves and the victims of this disaster."

Updated listings of relief efforts will appear on the NC State home page.

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