As the UNT community begins the new academic year, we do so with heavy hearts and a desire to help the many residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama whose lives were torn apart by Hurricane Katrina on August 29.

All of us at UNT send our deepest sympathies to all of those whose families and friends are suffering in the storm’s aftermath.

Our thoughts are also with the UNT students, faculty and staff members, whose families, homes and friends are affected by this disaster. The university’s counseling services and other support offices are available to provide assistance.

I encourage members of the UNT community to support the relief agencies involved in providing humanitarian aid as they work to deliver clean water and food, and provide medicine, clothing, and shelter for the victims.

In addition, as we continue to learn the full effects of the storm and its devastating aftermath, UNT as a community will work to provide additional types of aid to those in need.

In particular, we will work to provide long-term support to two of our Sun Belt Conference sister universities — the University of New Orleans and the University of South Alabama — since they suffered severe losses in the storm.

Sincerely,
Norval F. Pohl