FIU continues its commitment to Haiti’s reconstruction

By Jean Paul Renaud

Since the crippling January 12 earthquake in Haiti, the university community has opened their hearts and answered the call—collecting supplies, coordinating donations and establishing a task force to achieve long term goals.

Through the Haiti Relief Task Force chaired by Senior Vice President for External Relations Sandra Gonzalez-Levy, FIU students, faculty and staff have participated in efforts that have included several teach-ins by university experts on natural disasters and Haiti; a day of memorial events organized by our students; special counseling and advising support for students experiencing direct impact; and training sessions for volunteers who want to assist Haitians applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

The university also mobilized more than 200 Creole speaking interpreters to service community organizations in need of translation assistance. In addition, FIU recently signed a Memorandum of Understand with L’Universite D’Etat D’Haiti for long term cooperation to assist with rebuilding the country’s higher education infrastructure.

Through numerous proposals from professional schools and departments, FIU has made a commitment to long-term relief and rebuilding efforts, including protecting Haiti’s patrimony and supporting economic development, among many others. The Task Force continues to meet regularly to coordinate FIU’s short and long term efforts.

Any department involved in relief efforts for Haiti is asked to notify the Chair. As a reminder, research-related travel to Haiti must be approved by the Provost’s office and no student is allowed to go to the country as part of a university sponsored trip.

Additional information on all of FIU’s Haiti-related activities can be found at newsarchives.fiu.edu/hopeforhaiti.