Students discuss Katrina's effects on New Orleans and the nation

Bates College students enrolled in the course “Afroambiente” (“Black Environment”), taught by Associate Professor of Spanish Baltasar Fra-Molinero, will give a multimedia presentation on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on both New Orleans and the United States at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29, in Room 204 of Carnegie Science Hall, Campus Avenue. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Topics the students will discuss include a chronology of events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, the response to the emergency by authorities, a profile of the storm’s victims, media coverage of the situation and an analysis of the crisis in the context of environmental injustice.

State Sen. Peggy Rotundo will speak about the Katrina Relief Initiative, a combined effort by Bates students, staff and faculty to help victims of the hurricane and local residents affected by rising fuel costs. As of Sept. 27, the campuswide initiative has raised $12,686 –$5,097 from students and $7,589 from faculty and staff. The Bates College Harward Center for Community Partnerships is serving as the collection point for donations, which can be made by contacting community volunteer coordinator Marty Deschaines at this mdeschai@bates.edu.

A discussion will follow the presentations, and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Dustin Drury at this ddrury@bates.edu.