Babson Responds To Hurricane Katrina

Improving the lives and rebuilding the property of all those who have been directly affected by Hurricane Katrina will take many years. Members of the Babson community quickly “stepped up to the line” to help meet the immediate needs of the hurricane victims. I know that there will be continued interest in providing long-term as well as short-term assistance.

Please visit this web page to stay up-to-date on these efforts. We will post ongoing opportunities to participate in relief projects, progress in relief undertakings, and also perspectives from those members of our community who are involved in this important work.

I want to thank everyone for their offers of help and support. It’s the Babson way.

President Brian M. Barefoot ’66, P ’01

Successful Diaper Drive

More than 450 diapers were donated to the Salvation Army for distribution at Camp Edwards.

Diaper Drive to Benefit Katrina Evacuees at Camp Edwards
Glavin Chapel
9/26/05

We are collecting packages of new, disposable diapers at the Glavin Chapel this week. On Friday they will be collected and brought to the Salvation Army HQ in Boston for distribution at Camp Edwards.

Asia Pacific Student Association
9/23/04

Members of the Asia Pacific Student Association have been selling traditional Chinese items in the Reynolds Campus Center, raising more than $270 for Katrina relief.

A Thousand Free Online Courses Now Available for Students Whose Studies Have Been Interrupted by Hurricane Katrina
9/16/05

The Sloan Consortium, an international association of colleges and universities committed to quality online education, is offering students whose studies have been interrupted by Hurricane Katrina an opportunity to continue their education tuition-free. Sloan-C is administered at Babson College and at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. More than 1,000 students have already requested courses by signing up at http://www.SloanSemester.org. Student registration will begin on September 19, 2005 and classes are set to begin October 10, 2005.  More

Hatchery Biz NextWorth Solutions Raises Funds For Katrina Relief
9/15/05

Hatchery business NextWorth (Andrew Walsh, David Chen, Mieka Wick) is a full-service provider of professional consignment services for consumers, businesses and non-profits. It helps customers identify and convert hidden value through eBay, Amazon and other channels and makes the selling process easy, profitable and fun.  NextWorth will donate the proceeds and profits for items designated for this relief effort to non-profit organizations, so that they can effectively help those in need.

Donations to Residents of Camp Edwards
9/15/05

Facilities is accepting product donations for the Charles River ARC drive to help the displaces victims who are now residing at Camp Edwards. Athletics is donate gear. Charles River ARC in Needham (neighboring Babson) is accepting donations of clothes, shoes, jackets, blankets, televisions, radios, books, sporting goods, and games for families who have lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina.  9:00 am to 3:00 pm

MyFamilyCanHelp.com
9/15/05

Andreas Hartmann M'02 has put together a website to facilitate housing and accomodation exchanges for persons displaced by Hurricane Katrina: http://www.MyFamilyCanHelp.com


Babson College Katrina Update
9/14/05

Students, faculty and staff continue to support relief efforts and have donated over $1200 during the past 2 weeks. Most recently the Babson College Interfraternity Council held a pub night on Thursday, September 8 and raised $267.

Online Registration for Cruickshank Run For Shelter
9/14/05

3rd Annual Cruickshank Run for Shelter 5k Run and Walk on October 22 will raise money for three worthy charities, the Babson College Katrina Fund, the Babson College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity International, and Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore. Registration Registration is $20 before October 14th; $25 after the 14th. Babson College students get a $10 discount. Registration and sponsor forms at available at www3.babson.edu/Centers/Bernon. 

Collection For Residents Of Otis Air Force Base
9/14/05

On September 15th and September 16th, the Charles River ARC in Needham (neighboring Babson) will accept donations of clothes, shoes, jackets, blankets, televisions, radios, books, sporting goods, and games that will be given to families that have lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina.  9:00 am to 3:00 pm

TheCollegeParty.com
9/14/05

The College Party.com has designed and will be selling t-shirts on the Babson campus to raise money for the Babson College Katrina Fund. Look for them around campus or contact David at dyarus1@babson.edu.

Beads for Bourbon Street
9/14/05

The Beads For Bourbon Street campaign is raising money and awareness for the victims of Katrina. Started by a Babson student, Beads For Bourbon Street hopes that individuals will purchase and wear the Mardi Gras beads to show their support for the Katrina relief effort. Displays have been set up around Babson and the organization is asking for a $2 donations for a string of beads. For information contact Jesse Levin at beadsforbourbonstreet@gmail.com.

Panhellenic Council Fundraiser
9/11/05

The Babson College Panhellenic Council, the joining organization of all of the sororities on campus, raised $253 at the first pub night of the year on August 31st to donate to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief.

Katrina Volunteer Opportunity for Families with Children
The Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Sullivan
Director of Spiritual Life
9/8/05

A number of people at Babson and Olin have asked how their families might get involved in Katrina relief efforts. Through a local not-for-profit company that I work with (and that was founded by a Babson grad!) called The Volunteer Family (www.thevolunteerfamily.org/), a variety of opportunities are available for families with children to get involved in constructive relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina. They have suggested two to pass on:

Cradles to Crayons, a local agency, is helping children through donated clothes and toys at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro this Saturday from 7 AM -1 PM. For more details about this Saturday, please visit http://www.cradlestocrayons.org/HOW_TO_HELP_Hurricane_Relief.asp. You can donate clothes, toys, and other items, or volunteer to help with the collection itself. My kids and I will be there for at least part of the day; I hope you’ll join us.

If you want to help with a donation of goods, but don’t have time on Saturday, there is at least one organization that accepts donations of "Gifts of the Heart" kits. These kits include basic items such as deodorant and shampoo, and other basic sanitary items. For more information regarding needed supplies and where to send them, please contact Christian Disaster Response at 863-967-HELP (4357) or visit their webpage at http://www.cdresponse.org/cdrhome.html.

For other ways to help, please do not hesitate to contact either the Bernon Center here at Babson (x5354), the Volunteer Family or your local Red Cross. The Chapel has a list of relief organizations, sponsored by a multifaith variety of religious groups, which are also working in the Gulf region to provide assistance; call or email us (chapel@babson.edu) for a list of those organizations.

If you are able, be sure to attend the Multifaith prayer service for victims and survivors of Hurricane Katrina tonight in the Glavin Family Chapel from 7-7:30.

Thank you.

Hurricane Katrina Volunteerism Response
Associate Vice President Adele M. Langevin
Office of Human Resources
9/7/05

In the aftermath of the extraordinary destruction to the New Orleans and Gulf Coast areas, Babson College has reached out to our community members affected by Hurricane Katrina, including current students, parents, and alumni. We have also extended a hand to students whose educations in the Gulf Coast area have been interrupted by this disaster.

Babson College recognizes and supports the desire of faculty and staff at Babson to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina over the next weeks and months in ways that are appropriate to each individual. Babson is prepared to authorize faculty and staff members who would like to volunteer support to a recognized Hurricane Katrina relief effort up to two weeks paid leave of absence to participate in this relief effort.

We ask that those who wish to participate in this manner coordinate their efforts with their President’s Cabinet representative and department heads/supervisors, so that the business of the College can also go forward uninterrupted. Questions can be directed to Babson Human Resources, Ext. 4128.

Message From Babson President Brian M. Barefoot
9/7/05

In the aftermath of the extraordinary destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Babson community has reached out in a number of ways to help the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast rebuild their lives. I want to share with you the steps we have taken to assist those directly affected by this tragedy.

First, we have offered a helping hand to Babson students and families as well as the families of Babson employees who were in the hurricane-stricken areas. While everyone is physically safe, the same is not true of people’s property and professional lives. We are working with current students and their families to provide them with the assistance they need. Also, the Alumni Office has reached out to Babson alumni and their families in the area.

Second, we are making it possible for students whose learning has been disrupted to continue their education in a meaningful way.

• We have reached out to undergraduate and graduate students from New England who were enrolled in colleges and universities located in the affected areas. Babson has offered them space in our classrooms so that they will be able to continue their education here while their institutions recover.
  
  
• The Sloan Consortium of colleges and universities, administered at Babson and Olin College, is offering displaced students an opportunity to continue their education on-line at no cost.

Third, some employees have expressed an interest in volunteering for Hurricane Katrina relief. We have agreed on ways to enable our colleagues to participate in these efforts without disrupting the College’s operations. If you are interested, please contact Human Resources at ext. 4128 for details.

Fourth, for those who want to volunteer but are unable to travel, the Bernon Center is coordinating opportunities on campus, including:

• Direct donations to the Babson College Katrina Fund. The Fund is administered by the Bernon Center and all the money raised will go directly to help current students and alumni of Babson affected by the hurricane;
  
  
• Participation in Red Cross fund-raising;
  
  
• Running, walking, or sponsoring someone in the Cruickshank Run for Shelter on Saturday, October 22. A portion of the money raised will go to the Katrina Fund, as well as to support future Babson Habitat for Humanity efforts in needy areas.
  

The Bernon Center will be developing additional projects to address continuing needs, and you will be notified about these opportunities.

The Babson community can be proud of the speed and scope of its response to the human toll of Hurricane Katrina—and its ongoing efforts to do more. We will keep you updated on how we are working to improve the lives of those who have been so deeply affected by this disaster.

Babson Offers To Admit Students From Tulane And Loyola Displaced By Hurricane Katrina
9/7/05

Babson College has offered to admit students from Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans who are unable to attend college this semester because of the impact of Hurricane Katrina.

Both Tulane and Loyola have announced that they would close for the fall and reopen for the spring semester.

Babson will accept students for the Fall 2005 semester who are enrolled in good standing at Tulane or Loyola.

Babson plans to coordinate students’ academic schedules to ensure that they will be successful at Babson while being able to transfer credits to their home institution.

Given changing dynamics in Louisiana, Babson will revisit Spring 2006 enrollment options for students later in the semester.

First-year students at those colleges will have the option of enrolling as permanent Babson students.

Babson will recognize the Tulane and Loyola students as full Babson community members - with full eligibility for campus involvement and full participation in the life of Babson College.

Babson will work with each student on an individual basis concerning financial need and housing. Students will have free use of Babson College laptop computers.

Babson held special orientation sessions for interested students on September 2 and on September 6.

Sloan-C Offers Free Online College Courses for Students Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Leading consortium of universities to provide at least 10,000 student enrollments with a $1.1 million commitment from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
9/7/05

The Sloan Consortium, an international association of colleges and universities committed to quality online education, which is administered at Babson College and Olin College, is offering students displaced by Hurricane Katrina an opportunity to continue their education at no cost.

In collaboration with the Southern Regional Education Board and with a $1.1 million grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the special accelerated program will provide a wide range of courses to serve the learning needs of students at the community college, university and graduate level, regardless of academic discipline.

These courses will be given by major universities and other Sloan Consortium members. Students interested in finding out more about the program and the free courses can do so at www.SloanSemester.org.

“We know that many colleges and universities in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi will not be able to resume their fall semesters and students are scrambling for alternatives,” said Dave Spence, President of the Southern Regional Education Board. “With the help of dozens of colleges and universities nationwide, we can now offer students key courses online to bridge them through this difficult time and eventually allow them to return to their home campuses.”

The 8 week accelerated semester is being funded by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Colleges and universities offering the courses will forgo tuition and fees to help students at institutions disrupted by Katrina.

“Online learning can be an important means of academic continuity in a time of crisis,” said Frank Mayadas, Program Director, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “We are getting a tremendous response from both those who want to offer courses and from impacted institutions that need the help.”

At this time, the goal is to accommodate at least 10,000 student enrollments.

The Southern Regional Education Board (www.sreb.org)headquartered in Atlanta, was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislatures to help leaders in education and government work cooperatively to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region. The SREB has 16 member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Each state is represented by its governor and four gubernatorial appointees.

The Sloan Consortium (www.sloan-c.org) is the nation’s largest association of institutions and organizations committed to quality online education and administered through Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering and Babson College. Its mission is to help learning organizations continually improve quality, scale, and breadth according to their own distinctive missions, so that education will become a part of everyday life, accessible and affordable for anyone, anywhere, at any time, in a wide variety of disciplines.

Multifaith Prayer Service for Katrina Survivor
9/6/06

A multifaith prayer service for Katrina survivors will be held on Thursday, September 8, from 7 pm to 7:30 pm, in the Glavin Family Chapel.

Bernon Center for Public Service
Response to Hurricane Katrina
9/6/05

We are all looking for ways that we can help the victims of Katrina. Right now as many of you know, the greatest need is money. In response to this need the Bernon Center will donate a portion of it proceeds from The Cruickshank Run for Shelter on Saturday, October 22, 2005 directly to the families of current students and alumni of Babson College and place canisters for donations for the American Red Cross around the Babson Campus.

The Bernon Center is looking for help from the Babson community in these efforts and there are many ways that individuals, organizations and groups can help. Individuals can:

• Run or walk in the Babson College Cruickshank Run for Shelter
• Sponsor someone who is walking or running in the Cruickshank Run for Shelter
• Make a donation directly to the Babson College Katrina Fund
• Go door to door to collect money for the Red Cross
• Distribute and collect the canisters for the Red Cross.

Organizations and groups can:

• Coordinate an event and raise money for the Babson Katrina Fund or the American Red Cross
• Sponsor one or more of your group or organization members in the Cruickshank Run for Shelter.

At this time, no product donations are being taken and volunteers are being asked not to go to the area. They just can’t handle the supplies and volunteers without specific skills are actually clogging the highways and hindering rescue efforts.

The Bernon Center will continue to monitor the needs of the people of the Gulf Coast and as new needs arise we will coordinate campus efforts. We already have many long term goals including helping the victims who are being relocated to the Boston area and sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity trip when the area is ready for that type of volunteerism.

Please contact Eddy Fava efava@babson.edu in the Bernon Center if you or your organization would like to get involved with the Katrina effort.

Tau Kappa Epsilon Pi-Rho Chapter
TKE Brothers at Babson College and their Commitment to the Greater Community
9/6/05

In response to the devastating Hurricane Katrina the Brothers of TKE have rallied to offer their aid in the relief effort by pledging to man their post behind their lemonade stand in-front of their tower every night for the rest of the semester.

Although it may lack the sophistication and the glamour of many businesses started by the budding entrepreneurial students at Babson the TKE lemonade stand provides comic relief to the serious business students who may have forgotten their beginnings as an entrepreneur manning their very own lemonade stands during those hot summer days.

It is a refreshingly fundamental venture that almost seems out of place on this outrageously creative campus. The TKE brothers will provide passers-by with a variety of non-alcoholic drinks throughout the semester in exchange for donations for the relief effort.

On their first night TKE pulled in an outstanding $150.00 dollars. With these kind of revenues (donations) the TKE stand may prove to be the most successful lemonade stand every erected. The brothers have set a goal of $2,500 dollars.

The TKE brothers hope to not only raise substantial funds to donate but also hope to encourage others on the campus to get creative and involved with the relief effort. All donations raised by TKE will be given to the Red Cross.

This text was written by Chapter Brother Jessie Levin. Feel free to contact: Chapter President: David Weiss @ dweiss1@babson.edu. Chapter Vice President: Marc St. Pierre @ mstpierre1@babson.edu.

Free Online College Courses for Students Displaced by Hurricane Katrina
9/2/05

Leading consortium of universities to offer first ever special 8 week accelerated semester to keep students learning

(Atlanta, GA) The Sloan Consortium, an international association of colleges and universities committed to quality online education that is administered through Babson College and Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, is offering students displaced by Hurricane Katrina an opportunity to continue their education at no cost. In collaboration with the Southern Regional Education Board and with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the special accelerated program will provide a wide range of courses to serve the learning needs of students at the community college, university and graduate level, regardless of academic discipline. These courses will be given by major universities and other Sloan Consortium members. Students interested in finding out more about the program and the free courses can do so at www.SloanSemester.org.

“We know that many colleges and universities in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi will not be able resume their fall semesters and students are scrambling for alternatives,” said Dave Spence, President of the Southern Regional Education Board. “With the help of dozens of colleges and universities nationwide, we can now offer students key courses online to bridge them through this difficult time and eventually allow them to return to their home campuses.”

The 8 week accelerated semester is being funded by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Colleges and universities offering the courses will forgo tuition and fees to help students at institutions disrupted by Katrina. “Online learning can be an important means of academic continuity in a time of crisis,” said Frank Mayadas, Program Director, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “We are getting a tremendous response from both those who want to offer courses and from impacted institutions that need the help.” At this time, the goal is to accommodate at least 10,000 student enrollments.

The Southern Regional Education Board (www.sreb.org) is the nation's first interstate compact for education based in Atlanta, Georgia. Created in 1948 by Southern states, SREB helps government and education leaders work cooperatively to advance education and, in doing so, to improve the social and economic life of the region. Included in its 16 member states are Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. SREB is governed by a Board that consists of the governor of each member state.

Sloan-C (www.sloan-c.org)is the nation’s largest association of institutions and organizations committed to quality online education and administered through Babson College and Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. Its mission is to help learning organizations continually improve quality, scale, and breadth according to their own distinctive missions, so that education will become a part of everyday life, accessible and affordable for anyone, anywhere, at any time, in a wide variety of disciplines.

Babson's Hurricane Relief Efforts
8/31/05

The thoughts of the Babson community are with the people of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

The Bernon Volunteer Center will be placing canisters for donations on campus beginning on Friday, September 2, 2005, to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund. Canisters will be available in the Horn Library, the Bookstore, Woody’s at Reynolds, Pandini’s at Olin Hall, Trim Dining Hall, the Athletics Department, and the Reynolds Campus Center Information Desk. No product donations are being taken at this time, at the request of the Red Cross. There are numerous other agencies providing emergency relief that community members may be interested in supporting. There will be additional student sponsored events in the days ahead as well.

The Cruickshank 5k Run/Walk for Shelter on Saturday, October 22, 2005, will donate a portion of the proceeds directly to the Babson families affected by the hurricane and flooding. Faculty, staff and students can help by running or walking and by sponsoring a participant. If interested in participating in the Cruickshank 5k Run/Walk for Shelter or in making a donation, please go to the Bernon website: http://www3.babson.edu/Centers/Bernon/raceforshelter.cfm.

The Glavin Family Chapel is open and a candle was lit on Wednesday in memory of those lost in the hurricane as well as in the Tigris River bridge incident in Iraq. The staff in the Chapel are also available for those who wish to visit.

Several Babson students and their families are from the affected areas. While everyone is physically safe, the same is likely not true for their property and professional lives. Babson has reached out to our current students and are working with them. The families of two of those students remained on campus until it was safe for them to return to the Gulf. The Alumni Office has reached out to the over 30 alumni and 20 Babson families we know of from that area.

Babson is offering admission to a number of local students who are enrolled in colleges that are located in the affected areas.

The Sloan Consortiuman international association of colleges and universities committed to quality online education and administered at Babson College and Olin College, is offering students displaced by Hurricane Katrina an opportunity to continue their education at no cost. In collaboration with the Southern Regional Education Board and with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the special accelerated program will provide a wide range of courses to serve the learning needs of students at the community college, university and graduate level, regardless of academic discipline. These courses will be given by major universities and other Sloan Consortium members. Students interested in finding out more about the program and the free courses can do so beginning Sunday September 4, 2005 at http://www.SloanSemester.org.