About 15 Smith students come from the affected area. We have been in personal touch with them and are working with them to make sure their return to campus is going smoothly.

The Alumnae Association has established an online check-in list where news of alumnae from the Gulf Coast area can be posted.

As announced on Friday, we are opening our classrooms to displaced students (female and male) from western Massachusetts, offering the opportunity to take fall semester classes at Smith on a space-available basis.

Locally, the Red Cross, United Way and Daily Hampshire Gazette are partnering to coordinate relief efforts and collect donations through Operation Lend-A-Hand. I join Staff Council in encouraging those who wish to donate to do so through that Web site.

The counseling center is available for students who may feel a need for counseling. The employee assistance program, administered through the Wellness Corporation, is available for staff.

At 4:15 p.m. Friday, September 9, there will be a panel discussion in Weinstein Auditorium titled "Hurricane Katrina: What lessons can we learn from this disaster?" Participants will include Robert Burger, professor of geology; Don Baumer, professor of government; Nina Antonetti, lecturer in landscape studies; and Drew Guswa, assistant professor of engineering. All are welcome, and I encourage you to attend.

In addition, plans are under way for a chapel service in honor of hurricane victims. As new information unfolds, we will provide updates on the college's News & Events Web site.