The message below was sent Oct. 5, 2017, to the university community regarding disaster response and recovery following hurricanes Irma and Maria:
At FIU we are looking for ways to assist our friends and neighbors in the Caribbean who have been impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
We have determined that we can help by supporting our students from the region and opening the doors of our institution to students currently enrolled in universities damaged by the storms. We intend to host these students as visiting students until their home institutions are operational again.
Here are some specific ways we are helping:
- Current FIU students from affected islands in the Caribbean may be offered a refund for the out-of-state portion of their fall tuition payment. These students will also receive the waiver for the spring semester.
- FIU is offering waivers for the out-of-state portion of the tuition for students who are currently enrolled at universities in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
- We are looking to assist students from other impacted islands in the region.
Please consult the FIUstrong web page for more information, including the visiting student application. Also, we have established a phone line to help answer questions and guide students: 305-348-3481. Students may also email fiustrong@fiu.edu.
Hundreds of calls and emails have already come in this week, which tells us there is significant need and interest.
To help accommodate visiting students, we also have expanded offerings for the two mini-semesters this fall. The October session begins October 16, 2017 and the fall mini term begins December 15, 2017.
FIU has created a Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to raise funds to help members of the community who may be experiencing financial hardships because of the storms:
- Current FIU students from affected islands
- Students who come to FIU from affected universities
- FIU faculty and staff whose families have been impacted
Many groups throughout the university have expressed interest in collecting goods to send to our neighbors in the Caribbean. Please note that FIU is not a drop-off point for donations. We recognize our community wants to be able to help. However, disaster experts agree that the best way to help is to donate money. Donated goods and supplies are expensive to transport and distribute. Many times, the donations do not get to the intended recipients in a timely manner.
In addition to the FIU Disaster Response and Recovery Fund, financial donations can be made to the American Red Cross, the United Way and other reputable organizations.
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[…] FIU to assist those affected by hurricanes Irma, Maria in Caribbean […]
My daughter, Carla Martínez is currently in the Electrical Engineering Department at FIU. I live in Puerto Rico, and hurricane María has devastated the Island. Me and her father have been unable to work for up to 3 weeks now. My house has suffered damages also that need to be taken care of. In my home town, there’s No electricity, no water, no communication, no internet. I have to drive to specific places to get some signal and be able to communicate with my daughter and find some wifi also. Gasoline is scarce also. It will be a tremendous relief if we can get some economic help.Your consideration in this matter is greatly appreciated! Thanks for thinking and caring about us here in Puerto Rico. Sincerely, Patricia Rovira
It has been a very stressful situation for my family. I will greatly appreciate also your support to my daughter, who has been anxious,worried, and is not able to communicate with us unless we find a spot to get some signal. She is hopefully graduating in December and her level of stress is affecting her. Thanks again for your support!
Sincerely, Patricia Rovira
Imy son Antonio Martinez, had to leave UM after Irma, because his dorm was closed for 12 more days starting courses on Sept 25th. He couldn’t even get in to grab clothes or passport. So I had to flew him over to Puerto Rico with his drivers license. Unfortunately, María hit us during his stay here. He experienced the hazards, devastation, and damages in the
Island, the lack of communication and his flight back cancelled 3 times to get back to start the University . His level of anxiety and stress rising while trying to get him on a plane driving to certain spots to get signal or internet and have his sister in Miami trying to find him a flight. He was missing exams already. Finally, we managed to get him to UM, after a week. He was also stressed for leaving me here without work and trying to fix the damages the hurricane caused to our house. Up to now, I haven’t been able to work due to lack of power, water, or communication. It has been 4 weeks now, and still in the same situation. Sincerely, Patricia Rovira