Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina first occurred, people all over the world have pitched in to help the areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

UTM is no exception as it has made and is continuing to make tremendous efforts to come to the aid of those in need.

The Office of Housing and the First Baptist Church of Baptist Collegiate Ministries are allowing UTM students to get more involved than ever, as they are coordinating a trip to Southern Mississippi to help aid the hardest hit areas. The trip will start its destination to help on Friday, Oct. 14 and will continue during the duration of UTM’s fall break. Larry Washburn of First Baptist Church will travel to Southern Mississippi two weeks prior to the students’ departure to see which areas need help the most.

Ryan Martin, Asst. Director for Residence Life, says to students who wish to participate, “It will be a lot of manual labor.” He continued by saying that labor efforts would consist of cleaning up the area and clearing road ways. All UTM is asking of students is to provide the time during their fall break. UTM will provide both transportation and food for the students who wish to go.

As of right now, the Office of Housing has only a capacity to take 18 students. They are hoping that this number will increase to 25 students. However, the First Baptist Church will also be able to transport students.

If any student is interested in attending this trip to help devastated areas of Mississippi, a sign-up sheet is located at the residence hall desks or you may contact Ryan Martin at 7731. After the sign up is completed, a meeting will be schedule to discuss with students further information pertaining to the trip.

In other efforts, several UTM organizations have made efforts to raise monetary donations for the victims. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee alone has mailed a check to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in the amount of $2,600.

For about two weeks now, the greek organizations, as well as several other student organizations, SGA, Sodexho Dining Services and academic departments have made a goal to raise a minimum of $30,000 to support the victims of this tragedy. As the Sept. 16 deadline to accept collections was surpassed, a new deadline will soon be made, as each of the organizations wished to have more time so that they can go above and beyond the anticipated goal.

Coordinator of Greek Life Louis Ragsdale said, “I am proud to see the greeks pull together in this university-wide effort to help raise $30,000.”

Each organization involved in this university-wide effort has worked and will continue to work in a variety of ways to help earn funds for the victims.

With the help of the Southern Regional Education Board and the Sloan Foundation, UTM will also be able to help students who obtained education in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. In efforts to keep these students active and on track in pursuit of higher education, UTM will provide up to 10 free online courses during the Sloan-C semester.

The semester for these students will begin on Oct. 10 and will continue until Jan. 6. These classes will be accessible through UTM’s Blackboard.

As Ryan Martin said, “We are doing a lot to help [victims of Hurricane Katrina]. I am really impressed by the leadership the university has shown.”

The students of UTM have strived in every way to provide necessary assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims. These students have proved that UTM is a university that cares.