Disaster Relief

Six months after Hurricane Katrina displaced residents of the Gulf Coast areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, relief efforts are still underway. By now, most of the thousands of faculty and students have returned to their home institutions — despite the reality that it still may be some time before they are completely settled.

After the August hurricane struck, APS Members and universities from across the United States opened their homes and labs to those in need. In a continued effort to lend a hand to colleagues in the affected areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, APS Members are offering them a complimentary membership for 2006.

“As faculty and students make their way back to the region, we hope this gesture from their fellow APS Members will, in some modest way, make it easier for them to stay connected to the global scientific community and latest research,” says Alan Kraut, APS Executive Director.

The complimentary memberships are already having a real impact. Joseph Wayand had just started in his position at Loyola University New Orleans when Katrina struck.

“I accepted a tenure-track job at Loyola New Orleans last year, and moved down here in early August,” Wayand remembers. “But before I could even teach my first day of class, the hurricane changed everything. I am now back at my university and the spring semester is going well. However, due to the financial havoc that Katrina wreaked on the university, my contract will not be renewed. Thankfully, I am having good luck on the job market so far. Wherever I land, I’ll continue to be an APS Member and attend the conferences.”

APS Members from the affected areas who have not renewed for 2006 should call (202) 783-2077 or write to [email protected] to receive their complimentary year of membership. Those who have already renewed should contact APS to extend their membership for an additional year.