Cal U teams up with state schools for Haiti relief

By Shelby McAdams - for the Cal Times

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is taking the lead with providing relief to earthquake ravaged Haiti.

California University of Pennsylvania has teamed up with the 13 other state-owned universities within the PASSHE system, along with Gannon University and Mercyhurst College, to help rebuild a school in Haiti.

PASSHE Chancellor John C. Cavenaugh feels strongly about reaching out to victims and having the university system come together in doing all they can to provide support and aid.

“We will work with the various relief agencies that are involved in the recovery effort,” Cavenaugh said. “Several of our universities have done outreach efforts in Haiti in the past. Each of our universities at this office will work to do whatever we can to assist in this situation.”

A relief fund for the victims of the earthquake was developed through PASSHE schools and in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). All schools collected donations at men’s and women’s basketball games from all 15 universities between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.

All monies raised during the basketball games were donated to the American Red Cross.

In addition to collecting donations at the Commonwealth’s basketball games, Cavenaugh wanted to alert student organizations at the schools to donate to this one specific cause.

Cal U President Angelo Armenti sent a letter to the Cal U community encouraging them to support to the state-wide effort.

“The outpouring of donations across the world has been impressive and quite moving,” Armenti said. “I applaud those of you who have already responded with tremendous generosity to the immediate needs of the Haitian people.”

Armenti said PASSHE is looking beyond the immediate needs of aid and support to the Haitian people and are looking to a time when the rebuilding of Haiti will begin.

“These citizens, many of whom lived in great poverty before the earthquake, will be faced with the arduous task of re-establishing an economic and educational infrastructure,” Armenti said.

“Therefore, PASSHE will concentrate its efforts on collecting donations for rebuilding a school in Haiti,” Armenti said.

State universities Cheyney and Kutztown are coordinating the system-wide relief efforts.

“As faculty and students return to classes [at PASSHE] institutions, students look forward to commencing their studies and contributing to the relief effort for Haiti,” said Cheyney University President Michelle Howard-Vital.

With over 117,000 students and 454,000 alumni, the state system believes that the universities are capable of raising sufficient funds and holding adequate food and clothing drives, among other activities, for the relief effort, Howard-Vital said.

“Chancellor Cavenaugh and the PASSHE university presidents will work together to help coordinate the activities of the student government organizations and other groups on campuses who want to assist the residents in Haiti with needed funds and supplies,” Howard-Vital said.

Members of the Cal U community who wish to donate to this effort should make checks payable to “Foundation for Cal U,” and write “Haiti Relief Effort” in the memo section of the check. Checks may be mailed to “Foundation for Cal U,” P.O. 668, California, Pa. 15419.

All donations made through the Cal U Foundation will be forwarded to PASSHE. Donations can also be made online at http://www.calu.edu/giving/give-online/haiti/index.jsp.