Katrina panel, meetings explore aftermath

Ilyse Kramer Staff Writer

The Environmental Studies Faculty held the panel discussion “Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans:Understanding What is Happening” chaired by Chemistry Professor Stuart Belli on Sept. 8.

Associate Professor of Geology Kirsten Menkin and Associate Professor of Biology Marshall Pregnall explained the natural disaster in scientific terms. Political Science Professor and Director of Environmental Studies Peter Stillman commented on the socio-political effects of the hurricane.
Belli opened the discussion by reading National Geographic’s description of Hurricane Katrina’s ravage of New Orleans. After his reading, he revealed that the article was written over one year ago as a prediction of meteorologists believed would strike New Orleans. Belli said, “We knew and did nothing, as a government, and as citizens.”

Menkin explained geological factors that caused New Orleans to be vulnerable to Hurricane Katrina. “New Orleans sinks three feet each century due to enhanced levees that are located on top of natural levees. These levees were fragile, and funding to repair them was cut. Also, the gulf coast wetlands subside faster than the plants can grow. Sediment becomes trapped, thus accumulating more material.”

Menkin showed graphs that demonstrated that while the number of hurricanes throughout the world is decreasing, the storms that do occur, such as Hurricane Katrina are growing stronger and more devastating.

The discussion shifted to political and social effects of the hurricane. Pregnall showed a photo of people fleeing New Orleans and remarked the image showed “water flowing down to poverty.”

“The people who were unable to evacuate are typically invisible to wealthier society. In the past week, these invisible people have found themselves visible on television and in newspapers and other media. The disaster acts as an exacerbation of their daily depravations and scarcities,” he said.
The question arose: “How do we take responsibility for Hurricane Katrina?” The answer was addressed at another meeting on Sept. 11 where Vassar organizations discussed methods to provide Hurricane Katrina relief.

“The primary goal of this meeting is to provide aide for Hurricane Katrina,” said VSA Secretary Laureen Cantwell ’06. “The VSA is receptive to peoples’ ideas, complaints, questions, and concerns. We are encouraging organizations to collaborate with each other on hurricane relief.”

James Kelley ’09 added, “We are trying to organize a group effort in response to a disaster that affects us all.”

Black Students Union President Adam Lee ’06 is the Primary Contact for “Hurricane Katrina relief.” Hurricane Katrina relief is working with the BSU, Asian Students Alliance, Carribean Students Alliance, and Poder Latino and other organizations and has distributed boxes around campus for people to donate food, clothing and toiletries.

The primary goal of “Hurricane Katrina Relief” is to raise awareness about the effects of the hurricane and provide relief to people in need. Hurricane Katrina Relief will hold a discussion about the relationship between class and race and plans to work with Poughkeepsie Middle School students. T-shirts will be sold in the College Center.

At the Arlington Street Fair on October first, informational flyers about this organization will be distributed. Meetings for “Hurricane Katrina Relief” are on Saturdays in the ALANA Center.

Hip Hop 101 President Morgan Monaco plans to hold a Cabaret Night where people can bring contributions for the Katrina Effort. Hip Hop 101 welcomes the involvement of other boards and encourages individuals to relate their hurricane experiences at the cabaret.

Assistant Sociology Professor Light Carruyo described an African-American grass roots organization, Peoples Institute for Survival and Beyond. This organization helps families affected by the hurricane and “is committed to analyzing the disaster through the lens of community.”