KU, staff to assist Katrina recovery

The University community has responded to the Hurricane Katrina devastation along the Gulf Coast, from waiving late fees to help displaced college students enroll to hosting a benefit concert and raising funds at football games.

KU has admitted 23 students, including several law and graduate students, displaced from closed universities along the Gulf Coast, primarily Tulane University in New Orleans.

Music and dance faculty and graduate students put their skills on stage to help raise money for survivors at a benefit concert this week. The show featured the Kansas Brass Quintet and four voice, three piano, two woodwind, two brass and one dance faculty performances.

All donations will be sent to the American Red Cross. Student Union Activities is planning another benefit event at Lied Center later in the month.

KU's student-run Center for Community Outreach is leading an official relief effort, “Jayhawks Band Together: Katrina Relief.” Donation sites have been located across campus for the past two weeks.

KU Athletics donated $10,000 to the relief efforts on behalf of student-athletes and coaches. KU student-athletes and students also collected donations at KU's first three home football games.

The Student Involvement and Leadership Center is creating welcome packages for Gulf Coast students admitted to the university. Welcome packages include school supplies, snacks, gift certificates to local businesses and KU clothing merchandise.