Information on Relief Efforts at APLU Institutions Impacted by Natural Disasters

APLU is keeping our members impacted by recent natural disasters in our thoughts and prayers. We have heard from institutions that suffered from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and below is information on how you can support recovery efforts. We would be happy to add other campus- or student-focused relief funds. Institutions with such relief funds can email APLU with a link for the funds to be added.

U.S. Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico Update

The University of Virgin Islands, which suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Irma and experienced further damage from Hurricane Maria, has established the UVI Rise Fund to support students, faculty, and staff who were impacted by the storm.

Both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, where APLU members the University of Virgin Islands and the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez are located, still have severely limited access to electricity, Internet, and phone service. APLU is working to identify more ways to help our institutions in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Florida & Texas Institutions

The University of Central Florida has launched an effort to replenish its Knights Helping Knights Pantry, which provides food, water, and clothing in times of need. The pantry’s shelves were depleted in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

In addition to these efforts, APLU compiled student relief fund information from institutions impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Those efforts are still ongoing and additional information on them is below

• University of Houston How you can help: Contribute to the UH Cougar Emergency Fund. Please add the term “Harvey Relief” in the comments field.

• Texas A&M University How you can help: Contribute to the Hurricane Relief for Aggies Fund.

• Prairie View A&M University How you can help: Contribute to the PVAMU Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, which offers small grants up to $500 to assist faculty, staff, and students with emergency needs.

• University of Texas at Austin How to help: Contribute to the Student Emergency Fund or Staff Emergency Fund.

In addition to these institutions, the Texas higher education community has launched a unified giving initiative to provide emergency aid to college students impacted by the Hurricane Harvey. You can contribute to the Harvey HELP fund here.