RPI Relief and the Student Senate, along with many other student groups are taking an active role in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. They are combining efforts under “Project Hope,” which “defines all Katrina relief efforts of the student body of Rensselaer,” says Grand Marshal Max Yates.
The Senate’s resolution calling for the student body to match the $35,000 pledged by the administration to the Gulf Coast Relief Effort was unanimously passed at their meeting last week. Each student senator contributed at least $10 to the relief effort and the resolution stated the Senate’s pledge to support the effort of any student run organization in order to reach the goal.
RPI Relief is planning a Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner to be tentatively held on Thursday, November 17, with profits going directly to relief organizations. They are also developing a photo display in the Union related to Hurricane Katrina’s destruction. The goal of the display is to raise awareness and provide a place for people to reflect.
Other smaller campus groups are adding to the relief efforts. The Social Psychology class is conducting a raffle. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and are on sale in the West Lobby of the Union until Friday of this week, 10 am-8 pm. They will also be on sale Saturday during the homecoming football game and prizes will be drawn during the fourth quarter of the game. There are over $2,500 in prizes to be awarded with the grand prize being $200 worth of gas.
Alpha Phi Omega is collecting the money for relief efforts. This week, APO will match any donation up to $500. It hasn’t been determined which organization will receive the funds but that decision will be made in the near future.
The Student Senate Community Relations Committee’s main goal in this effort is to promote the efforts occurring now and in the weeks to follow. They will also be hosting fundraising events during homecoming.
Circle K will be sponsoring a raffle beginning after homecoming until early November. They are facilitating matching RPI student mentors to Tulane and Xavier students. If you would like to participate in this program, contact Cynthia Smith in the FYE office to volunteer to help.
Some other groups also involved in the effort are the Interfraternity Council, IPAC, Newman Catholic Fellowship, and the RPI Football Team. As of September 12, the grand total of money raised was $6003.46. More fundraising activities will be planned and executed soon.
“We are in the process of coordinating these events. We are trying to get as many groups involved as possible,” said Kim Conway ’06. Numbers on all of the relief efforts as well as up to date information on relief activities are being published on the FYE website.
