As estimates for the economic costs of Hurricane Katrina reach hundreds of billions of dollars, it is heartening to see the response of Tufts students faced with these numbers.
A variety of campus organizations and students have sprung up to make sure adequate funds for reconstruction are available.
This past weekend's Mardi Gras party at the Zeta Psi fraternity represents a perfect way the Greek system can fulfill it's mission while having a good time. Decked out with beads, brothers collected donations while providing an entertaining and safe party.
Theta Chi and the Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS) will be passing out Mardi Gras beads to students, donating a dollar each to relief efforts.
Some have questioned the use of beads, labeling them insensitive. These comments are misguided - the beads pay homage to a celebrated New Orleans tradition. Remember Milton Glaser's "I LOVE NY" shirts after Sept. 11, 2001?
Attacking the problem from a different perspective are the four Tufts students who started www.studentsdonate.org. Instead of focusing their efforts exclusively on campus, the students opted for a far reaching Web site for students everywhere.
TuftsLife.com is using the Internet as a donation tool, with a link to give money posted prominently on the homepage.
LCS, a cappella groups, the Bare Bodkin Theatre Company, and the Office of Student Activities are a few of the many other organizations holding benefit events and fundraisers.
The spirit around campus has been extremely cordial toward the Tulane students who have already arrived, and should continue for the additional students arriving Monday: willing student organizations, party goers and student hosts are plentiful.
No matter what the method students must continue to assist the relief effort. With creative minds abound, there should be increased action on an individual and student organization level.
Katrina should not be a passing fad, and we need not forgot the costs which will be deferred over many weeks and months.
The donation commitment does not end when the cash is transferred. Responsible citizenship must be maintained through active participation in following the money, to make sure it is used appropriately.
While panels - such as the one held last Thursday in Hotung Caf?© are filled with blustery ivory tower academic speak, they maintain awareness in issues beyond the media, whose coverage will be ephemeral at best.
Beyond the heightened awareness, the panel sponsored by the University College falls short of student efforts.
Principally a forum for promoting the research of a select number of professors, this activity seems out of place. Discussion of media coverage is important, however, the focus in the immediate aftermath should be concentrated on active relief.
The alarmist nature of many of the comments contributed to a politically charged atmosphere at the debate. While the poor response of President Bush and other national and state leaders should be continually called into question, relief work should be apolitical.
The issues presented are critical to developing plans to prevent future catastrophes, but are incongruous with current efforts. Donations continue to flow, and students have the proper mindset and motivation to ensure we repair this disaster before preventing the next.
