SUNY to Aid in Haiti Relief

Albany – The State University of New York committed today to a system-wide effort to assist the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and the Board of Trustees have authorized SUNY Vice Chancellor Mitch Leventhal to develop and coordinate appropriate disaster response in Haiti among the 64 SUNY campuses.

“New horrors are revealed daily in Port-au-Prince and throughout Haiti,” said Board Chairman Carl T. Hayden.  “The entire SUNY community is affected by this disaster and grieves with families who have lost loved ones. SUNY will act to help those in desperate need.”

“SUNY campuses are developing plans and programs to assist the tens of thousands of victims of this terrible disaster,” said Chancellor Zimpher.  “By coordinating our efforts, we can help the people of Haiti on the long and difficult road to recovery.”

“Each SUNY campus knows best what it can contribute to this urgent relieve effort,” said SUNY Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs Mitch Leventhal.  “However, it stands to reason to focus on short-term training and degree programs that can return people to the field, within a relatively short period, with the technical skills most appropriate for alleviating human suffering and rebuilding the nation.”

SUNY’s efforts may include, scholarships in fields focused on basic human need, welcoming Haitian students on campuses and into appropriate programs, and other assistance, as appropriate.

The rebuilding of Haiti will be a multi-year project and must focus on basic human needs and sustainability. SUNY is in a unique position to assist through the training of technicians and practitioners in the areas of health care and delivery, building trades, education, sanitation, and related areas. Identification of qualified students for associate degree programs in these fields will ensure that graduates will be returned to the field in Haiti in the relatively near term.

SUNY has initiated discussions with the Organization of American States (OAS), which is currently contemplating the creation of an Emergency Scholarship Program for Haiti. SUNY will also be reaching out to the City University of New York and other institutions in the State as part of a coordinate response from higher education.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 465,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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