Generally, The State Press sticks to reporting the news and not making it. However, sometimes we need to take a stand and recognize we are part of the ASU community too.
We, like everyone else, were gripped by the images of Hurricane Katrina's wrath in Louisiana. This is one time when The State Press can't sit on its hands.
Thomas Turner, an education doctoral student, contacted The State Press about ASU Hurricane Relief Day. The Sept. 14 event will include donation stations outside of each building on campus, manned by members of student organizations.
ASU students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to donate funds for the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund (www.redcross.org) at these tables. And the student organizations can use this to add to their own fund raising.
In our case, we are asking local media to match donations at our booth outside Matthew's Center - dollar for dollar.
Turner's event emphasizes student involvement in relief efforts. But the administration is doing several notable things, too. ASU has admitted roughly 60 displaced students from Louisiana schools - Tulane, Loyola and Louisiana State University.
What makes this especially interesting is that ASU is waiving tuition for these students. And ASU is taking their word on what classes they have taken - because their transcripts don't exist anymore, ASU President Michael Crow said.
In addition to these 60 students, ASU will also take 50-70 students and five or six faculty from the Tulane architecture program, he added.
Plus, Crow said the University has offered to house up to 1,000 of the evacuees from the Gulf Coast.
We tend to complain about rising tuition (mostly justified). But it's comforting to know that ASU understands there are times when money isn't the most important thing. We are impressed by the ASU's willingness to do whatever it can to aid the evacuees.
There is no reason to wait until ASU Hurricane Relief Day to get involved. The state of Arizona is urging everyone to view www.AZ211.gov, a Web site devoted to ways Arizonans can help the Gulf Coast relief effort.
The State Press also encourages you to help in whatever way you can.
If you can afford it, donate funds to the Red Cross or bring new clothing, blankets and bottled water to the Salvation Army
If you don't have money, your time will surely be welcomed. Contact the Maricopa County Volunteer Center at (602) 263-9736, the Salvation Army at (602) 553-0988 or the local Red Cross at (602) 336-6660 for opportunities.
What's most important is that you do something. This is a national tragedy, where not only thousands were killed, but the number of people who had homes washed away is hard to comprehend. The State Press is getting involved, and so should you.
