UT Tyler Assists Area Shelters Preparing for Hurricane Ike

September 12, 2008

The University of Texas at Tyler is assisting East Texas shelters that are preparing for Hurricane Ike, Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for student affairs and incident commander, announced.

Nursing and health and kinesiology faculty helped prepare the Glass Recreational Center in Tyler as a special needs shelter, according to Dr. Linda Klotz, College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean.

Medical supplies and equipment, along with ready-to-eat meal boxes and cots, have been provided for that center.

“Nursing students and supervisory instructors arrived at the Glass Center earlier this morning, and UT Tyler students and faculty from other colleges also are volunteering at generally-populated shelters across the community,” Klotz said. “I’m so gratified that I’m working with so many students and faculty who are dedicated to the university’s community service mission and who are so generous with their time and their talent.”

UT Tyler has cancelled classes after 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 to allow those students who leave campus time to get to their permanent residences before the weather changes. UT Tyler is providing accommodations during bad weather for those students who remain on campus.

For more information, visit www.uttyler.edu or monitor the local media.