Students help with relief effort for tsunami disaster

Many UTC students who feel affected by December's natural disaster in southern Asia are attempting to assist victims of the tsunami.Alison Williams, a Franklin, Tenn., sophomore, is trying to start a donation drive on campus to help those who were affected.

"If everyone on campus donates $1 to the relief effort, then our school would raise $8,000. Hopefully, I will be setting up a table in the UC so that it will be easy for everyone to donate," Williams said.

Ajit Chittambalam, a fifth-year student from Sri Lanka, is working on a plan to be of assistance to the relief effort in Asia for an extended period of time.

"I have put together a student and faculty panel that includes a wide range of students from several different organizations, as well as chancellors and faculty members," Chittambalam said.

He said the panel will research several organizations participating in the relief effort and brainstorm for orginal ways to provide long-term help. By doing this, he said they can determine the best way for donations to be spent.

Chittambalam said he hopes for his contributions to lead to a city-wide effort.

"There is a lot of publicity already for this disaster and right now money is going for emergency relief, but that area will need money for recovery for years," he said.

Hugh Prevost, director of cooperative education, said that no students from UTC were studying abroad in the path of the tsunami.

"We did not have any students from UTC in those areas. We do have two students from Sri Lanka, but they were not directly affected by the disaster."

"Not many of our [cooperative education] students go to the orient anyway. Some have studied in China, Japan and Thailand, but not in countries that were involved. About 90 percent stay in this hemisphere," he added.

However, a group of 12 students and two professors visited India last summer through a Lupton Grant program.

The tsunami may dampen future plans of students who wish to study abroad, said Prevost.

"The tsunami will probably cause a 9-11 effect," he said. "The fear and the unknown may prevent them. Also, parents may not want their kids in harm's way."

But some students may be moved to assist those in need.

"I think that those who want to travel may decide not to visit these areas," said Chittambalam. "However, the tsunami may encourage lots of students who see this as an opportunity to help."

Local relief organizations have seen a huge outpouring of support from Chattanooga, said Beth Roberson, public relations and marketing director for the local Red Cross.

"We have collected $65,000 in Chattanooga as of last week. Several UTC students have emailed and called to ask what they can do."

"Currently, we are collecting financial donations. We send the money to our national headquarters, and they send it to southern Asia where teams of people receive the money to buy items. It is easier for them to buy what is needed than for us to ship the items," she said.

Donations to the Red Cross can be sent to 801 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, Tenn., 37403. A notation should be made on the check for tsunami relief efforts.