SUNY Maritime Serving as Staging Area for Hundreds of Relief and Recovery Workers

Maritime – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher today commended the swift actions of SUNY Maritime College leadership and staff, as the campus now serves as a staging area for hundreds of relief and recovery workers that may grow to as many as 600 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

“SUNY Maritime has shown outstanding leadership and an admirable sense of community in the wake of this devastating storm,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “Despite its own damage and difficulties, the campus has become a beacon for hundreds of recovery workers and disaster response personnel, opening its facilities on both land and sea to provide them with food, shelter, and safety. SUNY Maritime’s actions are a testament to the vital role our campuses play in communities across New York and they epitomize the civic duty Admiral Carpenter instills in her cadets.”

“Thanks to the foresight and early preparation of the SUNY Maritime community, in assistance with SUNY, state, and national officials, we were ready and able to assist in recovery efforts and help the local community and our neighbors cope with damage left in Sandy’s wake,” said Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, president of the college. “I am deeply proud of and grateful to my colleagues, many of whom have suffered property damage at their own homes, for making this additional sacrifice to help the community and aid in recovery efforts.”

SUNY Maritime began providing bed linens, food, and shelter to relief and recovery workers yesterday from as far away as California, Texas, Missouri, and Maryland. The workers include doctors and nurses, urban search and rescue personnel, and K9 teams.

The workers are using the college as a staging area as recovery efforts from Sandy continue, with the majority staying aboard the Empire State VI, which is part of the national defense reserve fleet owned by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) and operated by SUNY Maritime.

SUNY Maritime classes and events have been cancelled for the remainder of this week, as have athletic events through the weekend. Campus leadership continues to closely monitor students who are on campus to ensure their safety and security.

About SUNY Maritime College

The first maritime school in the country, Maritime College prepares students for careers in the maritime industry, government, military, and private industry. Recent graduates have benefited from nearly 100% job placement. Equipped with hands-on experience, students are prepared for positions of major responsibility regardless of the career path they choose.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating approximately 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with nearly 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu. 

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