University of Southern California
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
Office of the Dean
Our hearts go out to those who have suffered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We know of at least ten students who live or have families in the affected areas and we also know that there are many alumni and friends of SPPD who live in these areas.
We encourage faculty and students to be accommodating and supportive of those students affected, who might be missing class, find themselves in financial difficulty, or suffering from the loss of loved ones and friends. Let us be sensitive to the fact that this is a very serious and personal situation for many in our community.
We have received a number of calls from students at affected universities wishing to enroll in SPPD courses this fall. The provost’s office is coordinating a university response to this need, and we are awaiting a directive from his office about how best to accommodate students. USC has already completed two weeks of classes, and we want to make sure that if we allow students to register at this point that they will receive credit and be able to fulfill the class requirements.
There are several ways that SPPD and the university can become involved in providing assistance in this crisis. SPPD is already underway with some specific activities in response.
• The Civic Engagement Initiative (CEI) is designing a research project to examine the ways that citizen-initiated efforts are able to contribute to first-response efforts and efficacy of rebuilding activities.
• The Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) is planning two studies concerned with the national implications of the economic impact of Katrina on the Gulf States and the economic impacts of delayed response.
• SPPD is in discussion with the School of Social Work and other units to collaborate on fundraising efforts and in planning for student and faculty projects in the Gulf States for winter and spring breaks and next summer.
We welcome ideas and proposals for other ways that SPPD might use its expertise and educational resources to support the needs of those affected by the hurricane in helping to develop policies, and manage the rebuilding and planning for the future. For submitting ideas, please contact Matthew Faulkner, mfaulkne@usc.edu, or Sarah Oesterle, oesterle@usc.edu, at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
Sincerely,
Jack H. Knott
Dean
USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development