Published: June 09, 2008 08:03 pm         

Indiana State responds to flooding

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following message on the response by Indiana State University to the flooding crisis was sent to the campus community by Lloyd W. Benjamin III, president of ISU, on Monday.

Each of us has either experienced firsthand the impact of this past weekend’s severe flooding or knows someone who has. The Wabash Valley will be dealing with the effects of this tragedy for some time. The university stands ready to help students, faculty, staff and the community at large in rebuilding their lives.

Off-campus students who find themselves in need of temporary housing may contact the Office of Residential Life at (812) 237-3993.

Faculty and staff dealing with flood-related losses at their homes should work with their supervisor in arranging necessary release time. Supervisors are also urged to be flexible in allowing extra travel time to and from work for staff whose regular routes may be closed due to flooding.

For those who want to help others get their lives back on track, financial donations are the most effective means of assisting with immediate relief. Organizations that are accepting donations to assist with local relief include:

• American Red Cross, Wabash Valley Chapter – (812) 232-3393

• Salvation Army – (812) 232-4081

• Catholic Charities – (812) 232-1447

• Sisters of Providence – (812) 535-3810

• Light House Mission – (812) 232-7001

• Hope Crisis Response Network

The ISU Foundation is working to establish an emergency fund for both students and university employees. More details about that fund — including how to apply for assistance and how those not affected by the flooding may contribute — will be forthcoming.

The Helping Hands organization, located next door to the West Vigo IGA on U.S. 40 in West Terre Haute, has an immediate need for clothing for flood victims, especially children’s clothing.

Donations of food, cleaning supplies, clothing and household items may also be collected. Food collected on campus should be donated to Catholic Charities Food Bank for distribution to food pantries throughout the region. Cleaning supplies may be donated to Hope Crisis Response Network or other organizations that are providing volunteers for the cleanup effort.

The Hope Crisis Response Network will arrive in Terre Haute on Tuesday to set up a volunteer center and coordinate long-term relief efforts.

The Hope Crisis Response Network has coordinated ISU’s spring break trip for the past three years. With approval of a supervisor, employees will be allowed to take up to one work day with pay for assistance with flood relief efforts. Faculty, staff and students who wish to volunteer are requested to work through the Center for Public Service and Community Engagement by calling 237-2334 or via e-mail at disbell@indstate.edu.

The weekend flooding struck at a time when the university was hosting the annual Indiana Special Olympics and thousands of families from around the state were visiting our campus. While outdoor events were canceled, indoor events continued. I want to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers from the campus community who pitched in — as they always do — to ensure the success of Special Olympics. This year, some volunteers went well above and beyond what they normally do because others were unable to do so.

It is this commitment to community that makes Indiana State University a special place. I know you will all join with me — each in our own way — in reaching out to students, friends, co-workers, and neighbors whose lives have forever been changed.

— Lloyd W. Benjamin III

President

Indiana State University