<p>My D at Amherst just forwarded me a letter from President Marx that Amherst and Williams have joined forces and have been and are in contact with the pre-med dept. of Xavier and plans are in place to move faculty and students to the 2 colleges so the program can continue. I wish I knew how to put the whole letter on this site, but I don’t. It was very heartfelt, and praised the pre-med program at Xavier as the premier program in the nation, and what having those students on their campuses can offer to the Amherst and Williams students.</p>
<p>If anyone knows how to paste the letter in, e-mail me and I will forward it to you and you can paste it in. Thanks.</p>
<p>Can get the letter at: <a href=“http://www.amherst.edu/katrina/marx[/url]”>www.amherst.edu/katrina/marx</a> letter 9sep05.html</p>
<p>Amherst College Responds to Hurricane Katrina</p>
<p>Letter from Amherst College President Tony Marx and Williams College President Morton Schapiro, September 9, 2005</p>
<p>To All Members of the Amherst and Williams Community:</p>
<p>Uncommon times call for uncommon efforts. When the extent of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina became clear, Williams and Amherst, along with many other colleges, sought ways to help. We soon realized we might be able to do more together than separately. To maximize the impact of our efforts the two schools decided to try to help keep intact an important and successful program at one of the campuses that had been hardest hit.</p>
<p>In particular we had in mind the legendary pre-medical program at Xavier University of Louisiana. This historically black institution has a phenomenal record at placing students in medical school, and it was painful to think that such an important pipeline might be broken for a while.</p>
<p>We believed that, with the cooperation of many on our two campuses, we had the capacity to support some of Xaviers pre-med students and faculty. We also recognized quickly that the presence on our campus of such exceptional students and distinguished colleagues would be of benefit to both schools.</p>
<p>People at Amherst and Williams have been working hard for the past week to organize things on this end. Weve been pleased, though not surprised, at the many offers of support from individuals on both campuses.</p>
<p>The situation in New Orleans, of course, makes organization difficult on that end. Students had to scatter when the storm came. Faculty and staff were dispersed as well and cut off from their offices and usual forms of communication. Some days ago the university announced that it will try to open in January and encouraged students to make any educational arrangements that seemed best for them for the fall.</p>
<p>We have now gotten to the stage in which communication with individual Xavier pre-meds has begun. The situation is fluid, and we wont know exact numbers for a while.</p>
<p>Many logistical challenges remain. But both Amherst and Williams are dedicated to doing all that we can to help as many of these students and faculty as possible.</p>
<p>Coordinating these efforts at Williams is Bill Lenhart, Professor of Computer Science and former Acting Dean of the Faculty. He can be reached at 413/597-2371. At Amherst it is Dean of Students Ben Lieber, 413/542-2337. Feel free to contact them with your suggestions and questions.</p>
<p>Thank you to all who have already helped with this planning and to the many more who will help welcome these very special visitors.</p>
<p>Regards,</p>
<p>Anthony W. Marx
President, Amherst College</p>
<p>Morton Owen Schapiro
President, Williams College</p>
<p>Thanks, weenie!</p>
<p>Just a thought - if and when the pre-med school gets to Mass, we know those kids have nothing. They will need winter coats, boots, gloves, etc. Perhaps CC parents could send gift cards from Wal-Mart, Target, (I know those are close to Amherst, and assume they are to Williams, as well) for the kids and profs. After they are done (return to NOLA) with the winter clothes, etc. they could keep them if they wanted, or they could be donated to the local Salvation Army, etc.</p>