The UH helping hands: A+
Although Hurricane Ike has in one way or another affected everyone, some suffered severe losses, which resulted in some students to withdraw from classes. As we continue to return to our normal routines, it’s important not to forget those who are still without.
Simon Bott, chemistry professor and director of undergraduate affairs and advising in the Chemistry Department, has since begun a donation drive to aid UH students who are struggling to make amends.
Beginning on Monday, drop-off locations were set up at the University Center Underground and at the Fleming Building. Since then, an overflow of goods have been given to help fellow Cougars.
All should commend Professor Bott’s actions. With more people like him and those who contributed, the number of people in need would be drastically lower.
Another association that Bott is associated with is the Cougars Helping Cougars Hurricane Ike Relief fund, which helps students who need financial assistance because of losses incurred from the storm. Along with SGA President Sam Dike, Faculty Senate President Wynne Chin, Staff Council President Sandy Coltharp and Executive Director of Human Resources Joan Nelson, the organization is taking donations to ensure that eligible students, faculty and staff receive up to $500 as needed.
These folks have done an excellent job helping to make a comfortable UH community.
Campus cleanup: A
UH cleanup following Hurricane Ike is now in its second week and still there is much to do. Downed trees and other debris were scattered throughout the campus. Thankfully, UH Plant Operations have been on top of the job.
Almost immediately after the storm, crews were on campus cutting tree limbs and patching holes in building rooftops. Though the cleanup is still taking place, the campus has returned to its pre-storm appearance.
Granted, there are buildings that need extensive repairs and the number of trucks occupying the sidewalks has increased, but in the short time since the storm hit, the crews have been taking the necessary steps to make the University functional.
The only downside to the cleanup has been the use of parking lots as a depot. Student parking lot 16D on Elgin Boulevard, which like most lots on school is full for the majority of the day, has housed equipment, trucks and trash, leaving students to search harder than usual for the elusive open parking space.
