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Last Update: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 9:43 AM

Below is the latest news and information on University of Iowa activities related to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. If you have additional information, please contact University News Services Assistant Director Stephen Pradarelli at (319) 384-0007, or stephen-pradarelli@uiowa.edu.

Boston Globe Cites UI Welcome Of LSU Researchers: A story about all of the research lost by scientists at universities affected by Hurricane Katrina mentions that the University of Iowa is one of several schools across the country that have welcomed displaced researchers from Louisiana State University into their labs and homes. The article is available online here with free registration. (Posted Sept. 12, 2005)

Hygienic Lab to Screen Newborns Born in Louisiana: Dr. Mary Gilchrist, director of the UI Hygienic Lab, said in a memo dated Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, that the UHL has been tasked with screening newborns from Louisiana until the situation in the hurricane-ravaged region have returned to “normal” – at least for several weeks or even months. Currently the newborn screening lab in New Orleans is surrounded by water and their staff members are scattered around the southeast. “UHL newborn screening staff members are enthusiastic about this responsibility,” Gilchrist says. “They deduced that they could do it if we could identify additional staffing. UHL will supply several staff members from Iowa City and two former newborn screeners will return to the lab from their homes in the Des Moines area.  In addition, we will ask medical technologists from hospitals in the area if they can work extra hours backing up our staff in Ankeny.” Because Iowa has been approved as a screening site for the emergency, the lab is eligible to be reimbursed from federal emergency funds. “Louisiana has 65,000 births per year so it will be a big job adding that testing to our current workload in the 45,000 birth range when you include the out of state work that we do,” Gilchrist said. “But the specimen load will grow slowly since hospitals with large birth numbers are currently not submitting specimens.” The lab screening staff began training Tuesday (Sept. 6) and will begin receiving specimen from Louisiana today (Thursday, Sept. 8). (Updated Sept. 8, 2005; Originally posted Sept. 6, 2005)

Tippie Seeks Pledges To Cover Cost Of Transporting, Enrolling Students: The Henry B. Tippie College of Business is seeking donation pledges from alumni and other supporters of the college to help cover the cost of bringing business students from hurricane-battered Louisiana and Mississippi to the University of Iowa. Already, five current and former board members and friends of the college have pledged a total of $50,000 toward the effort. Tippie officials said it costs upwards of $10,000 to bring one student to Iowa for a single semester, a figure that includes transportation, tuition, books, room, board and general housing expenses. To pledge financial support, visit https://www.biz.uiowa.edu/deans/pledge.cfm Those who pledge support will be called on to fulfill their pledges only after students are identified and relocated to Iowa City. (Posted Sept. 7, 2005)

Admissions Office Asks That Inquiries Be Sent Its Way: UI Director of Admissions Michael Barron asks that all inquiries from people displaced by the hurricane and who appear to be or say they are students looking for a college for this fall or next spring should be forwarded to the UI Admissions Office. The toll free number for the office is 1-800-553-4692. The regular number is 1-319-335-1549. Admissions will triage the caller's situation and make appropriate referrals. (Posted Sept. 7, 2005)

UI Seeks Donations For 11 Students Coming From Gulf State Schools: Phillip E. Jones, UI vice president and dean of students, is asking for donations of furniture, small appliances, toiletries and other items that will be given to 11 students who will be attending the UI this fall after being displaced from schools affected by Hurricane Katrina. The students are expected to arrive today, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005. Although housing has been found for the students, household items are needed and can be donated by contact Monique DiCarlo at the Women’s Resource and Action Center, 335-1486, or monique-dicarlo@uiowa.edu, for drop-off information. Click here to open a separate window listing the needed items. WRAC is coordinating an effort to ensure that when the students’ temporary homes are ready when they arrive. The drive will run through 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12. (Posted Sept. 7, 2005)

UI Launches Hurricane Katrina Academic Relief Fund: In an email to the UI community Wednesday, Sept. 7, UI Provost Michael Hogan announced the creation of a "Hurricane Katrina Academic Relief Fund.” This fund will be used to aid students who have been temporarily displaced by Hurricane Katrina and who are planning to study at the UI until they can return to their home institutions. The fund will assist students with expenses associated with tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other costs incurred as a result of their displacement.  The Office of Student Financial Aid will disperse the funds to students on the basis of need. In the event that contributions to the fund exceed the need, the University will donate the surplus to the American Red Cross. Contributions should be made out to the "Hurricane Katrina Academic Relief Fund" and sent to: Gift and Grant Accounting, Room B5, Jessup Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA  52242. (Posted Sept. 7, 2005)

UI Academic Relief Efforts by Colleges and Departments: President Skorton has urged all members of The University of Iowa community to contribute generously to relief organizations and has provided specific links to appropriate Web sites.  Additionally, The University of Iowa is taking several steps centrally and at unit levels to provide assistance to those touched in different ways by Hurricane Katrina, including displaced faculty, staff and students. Click here for a PDF showing a breakdown of specific efforts and plans by colleges and department. (Requires the free Adobe Reader) (Updated Sept. 7, 2005)

Medical Students Raise Relief Funds: University of Iowa medical students raised nearly $1,000 last week for victims of Hurricane Katrina (see group photo above). Some key individuals were Sara Wood, Brian Lewis, Megan Groff, Chris Hogrefe, Erica and Johanna Savage. (Posted Sept. 6, 2005)

Cash Donations Accepted By Hospital: The UI Hospitals and Clinics Office of Community and Patient Relations, 8023 JCP, continues to accept donations in the form of cash or checks for the American Red Cross. Checks should be made out to the American Red Cross. For more information about the hospital's relief efforts, contact the Office of Community and Patient Relations at 356-1200. (Posted Sept. 6, 2005)