William Paterson University offers help for the victims of Haiti

The earthquake that paralyzed Port-au-Prince in Haiti didn’t leave William Paterson University indifferent.

            Assistant vice president for student life Francisco Diaz and SGA President Jessica Pepe held a meeting with all William Paterson University club presidents, SGA legislators and various departments on campus. It was established that all proceeds from William Paterson will be sent to the Red Cross because, according to Pepe, sending money to the international Red Cross will give the organizations better resources to make a decision about what is needed whether it’s food, clothing or medicine.

            “All the SGA clubs and organizations are being asked to hold events and deposit money to the SGA O.P. account,” Pepe said.

            Two members of SGA are organizing a Haitian cultural night and a walk-a-thon, while student Nate Agosto and other members of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity started labeling cans for clubs and departments to collect money. 

            “Michela Clovis and Stanley Joseph volunteered to help organize a Haitian cultural event to showcase the rich history of the island and hopefully also use the event to help collect needs items or money,” Diaz said. 

            “A vigil is also in the planning for the week of February 1st and its detailed information will be going out this week,” Pepe said.

            “A water drive is being done where campus police is collecting cases of water and will help transport them to a Red Cross office soon,” Diaz said. Students can drop off their case of water directly on campus police station or at the SGA office or campus activities office.

“The Office of the Provost and the Office of the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences are in the process of organizing a campus-wide gathering to reflect upon the recent events in Haiti,” WPU President Arnold Speert said.

            “The loss of life, the struggles of the survivors, and the devastation of families, homes and businesses, and personal belongings are profoundly moving and horrifying beyond comprehension.”

            There are a number of Haitian students at WPU affected by the events.

            “They are not allowed to go to Haiti right now. The only people that are allowed to go are medical and relief teams such as the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and federal management agencies,” Pepe said.

            “It’s very devastating, as my one friend has a lot of family there and she is not allowed to go there and help.”            

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