7/29/2025 Home Directory Mail Paws

  The AgCenter & Katrina & Rita

Office Closures for Rita    
Employee Resource Information

Messages from the Chancellor

 

09/27 - 3:27 p.m.

Hurricane Rita managed to damage AgCenter facilities in parts of the state missed by Katrina, so that now the damage caused by the two hurricanes together is statewide and by far the most extensive in our history. By the end of next week, the recovery team led by Roger Husser will have visited most of the sites and will have a better handle on the extent of the damage. But, for now we know the bill to repair and rebuild will be in the millions of dollars.

Eighteen of the 20 research stations have damage, ranging from minor to major at the Rosepine Research Station to devastation at the Citrus Research Station. Thirteen of the 64 parish extension offices have experienced at least some degree of damage with Cameron joining St. Bernard, Orleans and Plaquemines in suffering complete destruction.

Most of the damage caused by high winds was to older structures; newer facilities built up to code fared much better, Roger said. However, floods caused damage regardless of age. One of our newest buildings just completed last month, the lab/office building at the Citrus Station, was destroyed by the waters that poured over the levee in Plaquemines Parish.

Some of our other locations also experienced losses, including the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock, which received some wind damage from both hurricanes, and the Lee Memorial Forest in Washington Parish, used for research, training and teaching, which was severely damaged by Katrina.

Physical damage is only part of the story of our losses. Many of our research stations rely on self-generated income to support their programs. This income may be lost for years to come, such as at the Citrus Station and Lee Memorial Forest. There are also the losses in grant funds because some research and extension programs came to a halt, some indefinitely.

The recovery team’s first priority is to aid affected units in stabilizing their operations. Emergency repairs to facilities and other efforts are being made, or have been made, to address urgent problems, while longer term repairs are being initiated. In addition, the placement of temporary facilities is underway in key spots to aid in recovery and help AgCenter people get back to work as quickly as possible.

 

09/26 - 9:06 AM

Although Hurricane Rita has caused extensive damage in Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion parishes, we are thankful that all of our employees are accounted for. The extension office in Cameron Parish has been destroyed. Initial reports of the three research stations in the affected areas – Iberia, Rice and Rosepine – indicate moderate to major damage. We are still waiting for assessments of the extent of the damage to parish and station facilities in western and southern Louisiana. Initial reports indicate substantial losses to the state’s cattle, sugar, rice and other industries.

All offices in the Baton Rouge area are closed today for clean-up and to allow room in traffic to deploy emergency vehicles to the affected areas.

All AgCenter offices will be open Tuesday, September 27, except for those in the areas affected by Hurricane Rita. We will update you on the status of these offices as we receive information.

Those displaced workers in affected areas should contact their regional directors or directors as soon as possible.

Our first priority is the safety and well-being of our employees. Please be safe and take care of your families.

Bill Richardson

09/23 - 2:53 PM

We have been notified that the Baton Rouge campus will not hold classes Monday, September 26 in anticipation of post-hurricane cleanup; therefore, the LSU AgCenter will not conduct business in the Baton Rouge area on that day.  The Chancellor and Vice Chancellors will be in their offices Monday should anyone need to contact them.

Bill Richardson

09/23 - 9:40 AM

The LSU AgCenter will close offices in the Baton Rouge area at 2:30 p.m. today, Friday, September 23. Parish offices will follow local closure procedures outlined by the parish governments. Parish chairs should keep their regional director notified of the status of their parish office. The outlying research stations should consult with the LAES vice chancellor regarding closure. 

We plan to reopen offices in the Baton Rouge area on Monday, September 26. Should the severity of the hurricane be such that we cannot open on Monday, notification will be sent to the news media.  

If you have already evacuated your work station, please notify your supervisor regarding your location and safety. Consult the LSU AgCenter Web site for information.

Check-in Procedure
So we can fully account for everyone as quickly as possible after Hurricane Rita, if you are unable to report to work Monday because your office is closed or hazardous conditions, you must contact your supervisor immediately to let him/her know your status. If you are unable to reach your supervisor, please call one of the following:
Your regional director*

Efferson Hall: Chancellor 225-578-4161; LAES Vice Chancellor 225-578-4181; LCES Vice Chancellor 225-578-1938; HRM 225-578-2258 or 6787

If there is a problem with the 225 area code, please call the Northeast Research Station at 318-766-3769.

If it is necessary to make contact by e-mail, please send your message to your immediate supervisor with copies to your regional director and hrmhelp@agcenter.lsu.edu.

*Central Region (318) 427-4424
Crescent Region (225) 578-4514
North Central Region (318) 644-5980
Northeast Region (318) 435-2903
Northwest Region (318) 741-7430
South Central Region (225) 642-2044
Southeast Region (985) 543-4129
Southwest Region (337) 788-7547

Bill Richardson

09/22 - 11:30 AM

AgCenter Faculty and Staff 

Hiring/Spending Freeze
The governor has issued a hiring/spending freeze on all state agencies. We are seeking clarification of the many exemptions included in the executive order. We will take appropriate action once we have clarification. For now, all out-of-state travel is suspended and a freeze has been put into effect for hiring and acquisitions. These apply to state monies only. We will provide you more details as we are able to determine the full impact of the executive order.

Hurricane Response Task Force
Our efforts related to the response to Hurricane Katrina are exempted from the executive order. The AgCenter’s hurricane response task force had its first meeting today. Their charge is to continue with the implementation of our action plan and get things done as expeditiously as possible. I have appointed Mark Schexnayder as the chair, and he will act on my behalf as he interacts with local, state and federal officials. Members of the task force include Joan King (food safety and quality), Rich Vlosky and Hallie Dozier (forestry industry and urban forestry), Ellen Murphy (family and consumer sciences), Mark Tassin (4-H and youth), Dearl Sanders (forestry and invasive species issues), Rex Caffey (coastal and wetlands issues), Gary Hay (dairy and beef), Bill Carney (water and environmental issues), Deborah Tootle (social issues), Kappie Mumphrey (technology issues), Mark Legendre (financial issues) and Frankie Gould and Johnny Morgan (communications).

Response to Rita
Unfortunately, we are adding response to Hurricane Rita on top of Hurricane Katrina to the task force’s mission. The latest word I have received is that Rita is coming ashore early Saturday morning in the Beaumont, Texas, area. There is a mandatory evacuation in progress in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. Residents of Jefferson Davis and Vermilion parishes also are evacuating.  Allen and Beauregard parish offices have been closed. Our extension offices in these parishes are closed until Monday or until they can reopen. Once again, all AgCenter people who are evacuating are welcome to go to the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock.

Employees in affected areas must let your supervisor know your situation immediately after the storm so we can fully account for everyone as quickly as possible.  If you are unable to reach your supervisor, please call your regional director or one of the offices in Efferson Hall (Chancellor’s office - (225) 578-4161; LAES Vice Chancellor – (225) 578-4181; LCES Vice Chancellor – (225) 578-1938; HRM – (225) 578-2258.)

 (This and all other e-mail messages concerning the AgCenter recovery and relief effort are on the Intranet at http://www.lsuagcenter.net/911/Katrina/.)

Bill Richardson

9/15 11:29 a.m.

The vice chancellors and I are meeting with about 40 employees from the Crescent and Southeast regions today to talk about various issues related to disaster recovery. These include emergency leave, work locations and personal needs such as housing. Several of our employees lost their homes or had their homes severely damaged. Steve Mullen says the Orleans and St. Bernard offices will be closed for a while; those employees will work out of other offices, probably the Jefferson Parish office in Metairie. That office complex, which is on the second floor, sustained only minor damage and should be open next week. The other offices in his region will open next week as well. All offices in the Southeast Region, except for the Citrus Research Station, are open. Steve says his employees have shown remarkable resilience throughout all of this. In spite of their own unsure futures, they have been unwavering in providing help to the people in their areas. That will be their main charge for the next few months – helping the citizens in the affected area with clean-up and recovery.

An AgCenter team led by Roger Husser has toured all the facilities affected by the hurricane, except Orleans and St. Bernard, to assess the damage. Mark Legendre has been detailed to work with FEMA and other local, state and federal agencies to obtain reimbursement for our losses.

The Red Cross is closing the shelter at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock. Jane Jones reports that all of the evacuees, which at one time included nearly 600, will have moved on to more permanent housing. She expects the final departures tomorrow.

 

9/14 1:45 p.m.

We’re moving on to the recovery phase in our response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. To that end, a task force chaired by Paul Coreil has developed an education and outreach strategic plan. In a nutshell, the plan includes the following:

Distribution of two publications – “Cleaning Flood-damaged Homes” (1-sheet, #2267) and “Storm Recovery Guide for Homeowners” (36 pages, #2668). We have printed 100,000 each, and both are on our Web site.

Workshops for farmers – Kurt Guidry and a team are conducting workshops to help farmers find funding for their recovery efforts and develop management strategies.

Dairy recovery – A team goes out into the parishes daily to help dairy producers with electricity and fuel issues and management of disease problems.

In the shelters – Our FCS and 4-H agents are in shelters teaching financial management and youth development for the families. FCS agents also are distributing nutrition materials to food stamp recipients, some of whom are getting food stamps for the first time. And 4-H agents are working in the schools where evacuees have enrolled their children.

Almost immediately after the hurricane, our Web site provided recovery information, and this is updated daily. Our Communications office has been sending out press releases daily with the latest information on all aspects of the recovery effort; our specialists have appeared on radio and television programs with helpful advice.

Long-term efforts include expansion of the LaHouse education program to help people build termite-resistant and hurricane-resistant housing.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of our efforts to help Louisiana recover from Hurricane Katrina. We have responded nobly. A disaster has a way of bringing out the best in people, and although this one caused much pain and suffering, the LSU AgCenter stayed strong. There are still many unknowns, but together we will get through this and be better for it. Thank you for all your efforts. I am very proud of all of you.

 

9/12 11:56 a.m.

We are trying to get the word out to all AgCenter employees displaced by the hurricane that we will have a meeting on Friday, September 16, at 9:30 a.m. in the Knapp Hall auditorium. The meeting is not mandatory but should be helpful in communicating about office and job assignments, personnel policies and coping with the after-effects of the hurricane. Please try to contact your regional director, Steve Mullen or Pam Hodson, to let them know if you are attending. Both are difficult to reach but please keep trying. We have issued each of them a new temporary 225 cell phone number because both 504 and 985 area codes are having problems. Those numbers are (225) 485-8213 for Steve and (225) 485-8243 for Pam. You can also try the AgCenter’s toll-free number 1-800-863-8805, or send them an e-mail message.

Because sending mail to any zip code that starts with 704 also is a problem, we have set up a way to get mail to Steve or Pam or any of the folks who work for them. Please send to Baton Rouge to PO Box 25100; the zip code is 70894-5100.

The number of evacuees at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center continues to hover around 500. As people depart, new people are brought in. The need for supplies and volunteers continues. Please go the Web site below for more information or contact Terril Faul; his cell phone number is (225) 281-9197. www.lsuagcenter.net/fourh/Campaidregistration/

The temporary shelter for pet animal victims of the hurricane, which we set up in Parker Coliseum, is bursting at the seams. Currently, there are about 1,300 animals there, mostly dogs. Because we do not have the staff or numbers of volunteers needed to ensure the safety and security of both the pets and the people who work with them, we are not accepting any more animals – at least for the time being. This may change as more people come to retrieve their pets. We are involved in meetings this week to try to set a date for closure of the shelter and resolve where the unclaimed animals will be sent. More information on this will be forthcoming, probably later this week.

Trey Williams reports that donations for AgCenter employees displaced by the hurricane are up to $20,000. This money will be used for AgCenter employees only. To find out how to donate, please go to this Web site:http://www.lsuagcenter.com/4h/foundation/

 

9/9 11:29 a.m.

The HRM office has put together a page on the Intranet to help AgCenter employees with information and lists of services, including counseling, for disaster recovery. Please make sure your fellow employees without Internet access get this information, and ask them to forward their new contact information to the HRM office, if they have not already done so. You can find the HRM page at: www.lsuagcenter.net/hrm/HRDisasterRecover.asp.

We are thankful that now all of our AgCenter employees displaced by the hurricane have been found. Ann Coulon reports that Linda Dumas is safe in North Carolina.

A Web site has also been set up to register for volunteer service at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center, which is now a shelter for evacuees. Jane Jones says it is impossible for Red Cross to provide all the necessary personnel to handle the 500 people there. Your assistance in answering telephones, coordinating the handicraft room, working with children on games and toys, and answering questions for families is needed. To register, go to: www.lsuagcenter.net/fourh/Campaidregistration/

Thank you for your generous donations for the evacuees at the Grant Walker shelter. But they need more. To assist in the collecting of these items, Terril Faul has set up a drop-off point on campus next week – Thursday, September 15, from 7-10 a.m. in the back parking lot at Efferson. A large trailer will be available, and individuals will be there to load your items. Here are some of the items needed:

small toys and games, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, bottled water, baby formula, diapers, feminine hygiene products, denture fastener, toilet paper, paper towels, baby wipes, pillows, blankets, sheets, depends, ensure, 10-12 oz. cups, paper napkins, plastic spoons, duffel/tote bags, spray cleaners (like 409), Kleenex, zip-lock bags, portable lawn chairs, detergent, large garbage bags, Boudreaux’s butt paste, adult and youth watches, battery-operated alarm clocks, batteries, new underwear (men’s and women’s), socks, phone cards

Paul Coreil is leading a strategic planning task force, which will meet later today, to further develop our response to the hurricane crisis. We will keep you informed of ways you can help.

David Boethel is responding to requests for use of AgCenter property for staging efforts for relief workers and for housing and offices for faculty and students from other universities displaced by the hurricane. We will let you know details as they are worked out.

Kurt Guidry is updating daily the extent of the agricultural losses due to the hurricane. So far, the losses are nearly $1 billion.

 

9/7 1:54 p.m.

We are operating under extremely difficult circumstances right now and diverting many of our resources to recovery and relief efforts. Because of this, along with lack of availability of meeting space and parking on the LSU campus, we reluctantly must cancel Annual Conference for this year. We will proceed with our annual awards program but instead of a ceremony on campus, we will probably conduct a ceremony for our 2005 honorees via our distance education network. More details will be forthcoming in subsequent e-mail messages.

We are doing everything we can to locate the remaining two employees who are unaccounted for – Linda Dumas and Carletta Palmer, both nutrition educators in Orleans Parish. We are thankful that we have heard from the others missing as of yesterday. Thank you for all your efforts in helping locate your fellow employees.

9/6 3:33 p.m.

AgCenter Hurricane Relief  Donation Distribution Center

Nelson Memorial adjacent to Parker Coliseum on the LSU Campus is serving as a donation center for AgCenter employees and their families who have lost their homes ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Thanks to a great response by our AgCenter family, along with many others who have contributed to this effort, the following items have been donated to the Donation Drop-Off Center: Adult and children’s clothing, bedding, toys, toiletries, art/school supplies and bottled water and many other items.. 

If you are in the Baton Rouge area, we'd like for those AgCenter employees who have been displaced from their homes and are in need of clothing and other items to stop in Efferson Hall and let us know that they are safe and sound. Please contact Jamie Segar at 225-578-0388 or jsegar@agcenter.lsu.edu to assist you with this distribution effort.  

 

9/6 1:05 p.m.

We were very relieved to find out the status of one of our missing employees, Cheryl Mahler, yesterday. Rene Schmit reported that she is staying in Chackbay, La., until power is restored to her home in Hahnville. We are becoming increasingly concerned about the remaining five AgCenter employees whom we have not heard from. Please let us know any information you may have about Linda Dumas and Carletta Palmer, nutrition educators in Orleans Parish; Jackie Mack, secretary in Plaquemines Parish; and Joe Alexis Jr. and Brandon Thomas, who work at the Citrus Research Station in Plaquemines Parish. If you know where they are, please ask them to contact their supervisor, one of the directors or me.

As of today, the AgCenter is back in business. All of the offices, except those shut down by Hurricane Katrina, are open. Pam Hodson, Southeast Region director, and Steve Mullen, Crescent Region director, are working out of Efferson Hall. The Washington Parish Extension office is working out of the Southeast Research Station in Franklinton. As we know more details of office arrangements, we will let you know.

We are in the process of arranging for several faculty members from the University of New Orleans and scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans to be housed at our Ben Hur facility.

The need for volunteers at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center shelter continues. Please contact Jane Jones or Terril Faul. Either Wednesday or Thursday, we will be visiting there to deliver some needed supplies as well as ice cream from the Dairy Store.

So far, Trey Williams reports that we have received about $5,300 for the AgCenter Relief Fund, which he is coordinating through the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.

 

9/5 10:29 a.m.

We have established a relief effort for those members of the AgCenter family who have lost their homes. Monetary donations can be given to the AgCenter Relief Fund, which is set up through the 4-H Foundation. Trey Williams, who is coordinating this effort, says make checks payable to the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, and send to him at P.O. Box 25100, Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5100. You can also make your contribution by credit card by accessing the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Web site or by calling the 4-H Foundation office at (225) 578-1172. All contributions are tax-deductible.

AgCenter employees who have lost their homes can pick up clothing, bedding, household and personal care items, which have been donated for them, at Nelson Memorial. Open hours are anytime between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. In addition, our housing “hot line” will continue as long as needed. We are attempting to match people needing temporary housing with people who have houses, camps and even spare bedrooms available. Please call (225) 578-2427 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  

The AgCenter will be open for business as usual Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 8 a.m. There is much work to be done not only with the recovery and relief effort but also to keep our other programs going. Temporary office space for those who have lost offices is still being arranged by David Boethel and Paul Coreil. Please contact your supervisors for assistance.

The AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock continues to serve as a shelter for about 500 evacuees, mostly from St. Bernard Parish. The AgCenter employees temporarily sheltered there have all found other housing. The local community has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help Jane Jones, the center director, who is coordinating the effort. Terril Faul is coordinating the volunteer effort there for the AgCenter.

As of this morning, we still have six employees unaccounted for. They are Linda Dumas and Carletta Palmer, nutrition educators in Orleans Parish; Jackie Mack, secretary in Plaquemines Parish; and Cheryl Mahler, administrative coordinator in St. Charles Parish. In addition, we have not heard from Joe Alexis Jr. and Brandon Thomas, who work at the Citrus Research Station in Plaquemines Parish. If you have heard from them, please ask them to contact their supervisor, one of the directors or me.

Please be assured that no employee of the AgCenter will suffer loss of job or any loss in pay because of Hurricane Katrina.

I regret to inform you that Dr. Doyle Chambers, director emeritus of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, died yesterday. I will let you know details of the funeral arrangements as soon as they are available.

 

9/3 3:09 p.m.

The LSU AgCenter’s Parker Coliseum is being used as a companion animal hurricane recovery shelter.

This effort is being coordinated by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, LSU School of Vet Medicine and Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association.

The needs include: large air kennels and metal cages, cat bowls, garbage bags and volunteers. Don’t send any animal food; there is plenty for now. To find out how you can contribute or volunteer, call (225) 578-6111 or (225) 578-3104.

Financial donations are being accepted to fund the care of the displaced animals at the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. Call 1-800-928-LVMA or visit www.lvma.org for more information.

 

9/2 3:29 p.m.

At last count, 585 evacuees are at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock. Some of them are AgCenter employees and others are people evacuated just before the storm hit, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and mostly from Orleans and St. Bernard parishes. Jane Jones, the center director, is in dire need of volunteers and supplies to help these folks. Some of you have already given generously of your time and resources, and we thank you. But this will be an ongoing need for quite some time. Terril Faul will coordinate the effort to make the most efficient use of our resources. Please call him, even over the weekend, on his cell phone at (225) 281-9197. Dan Thomas has volunteered use of vans from his department to transport groups, so you do not need to use your personal car or gas. Terril also will coordinate distribution of the supplies.Here’s what’s urgently needed:

  • small toys and games
  • deodorant
  • razors
  • shaving cream
  • shampoo
  • bottled water
  • baby formula
  • diapers
  • feminine hygiene products
  • denture fastener
  • toilet paper
  • paper towels
  • baby wipes
  • pillows
  • blankets
  • sheets
  • Depends
  • Ensure
  • 10-12 oz. cups
  • paper napkins
  • plastic spoons
  • duffel/tote bags
  • spray cleaners (like 409)
  • Kleenex
  • zip-lock bags
  • portable lawn chairs
  • detergent
  • large garbage bags
  • Boudreaux’s butt paste
Here are some of the volunteer tasks urgently needed:
  • assist with collecting and washing clothes at a nearby nursing home
  • answer phones
  • deliver messages
  • provide information and answer questions for evacuees
  • coordinate arts and crafts and games for children
  • maintenance (pick up trash, cut grass, general clean up) 

Jamie Segar will coordinate donation of items for displaced AgCenter people. The drop-off point is Nelson Memorial. Those items not needed by AgCenter people will be given to the Red Cross. Here is his list: clothing, bedding, toys, toiletries, art/school supplies and bottled water. Jamie can be reached at (225) 578-0388 or (225) 773-3056.Because of the urgent need for communication, my office will remain open throughout the weekend. Someone will answer the phone, (225) 578-4161, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Also, the housing “hot line,” which I have mentioned in previous e-mail messages, can be called during those same hours. The number is (225) 578-2427.As of this morning, we still had six employees unaccounted for. We will not rest until we know they are safe. If you have any information, please call my office.

 

9/2 11:05 a.m.

To keep everyone informed of what’s going on with our disaster relief effort, I will address all AgCenter through a live videoconference today at 2 p.m.

We’ve had a good response to our request for housing, and we have made some successful matches between those with housing available and those in need. The need continues, however, so our housing “hot line” will be functioning tomorrow, Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be available during normal business hours next week. If you know of housing that’s available or you are in need of housing, please call (225) 578-2427.

 

9/1 2:27 p.m.

Housing is a major concern of our AgCenter employees. Some have filled their homes to beyond capacity with friends and relatives displaced by the hurricane damage. Others are displaced themselves and in dire need of moving out of temporary shelter. If you have housing available or if you need housing, we have set up a number to call. A person has been designated to answer and will try to match those needing housing with those with housing available. That number is (225) 578-2427. Preferably, we are looking for housing that would be available for six months to even a year. Some have already called offering their camps; some of you may have motor homes that could serve as living quarters. We also have a limited number of houses available at some of our research stations.

 

9/1 12:00 p.m.

I am very proud of the way the AgCenter family has stepped forward to give of their time and resources to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. I know many of you want to know what more you can do. A volunteer office has been set up at LSU. Please call this number – (225) 578-7688 or go to this Web site – http://www.lsu.edu/volunteer.

Your first priority is the safety and security of family. Please let us know how you are faring and how we can get in touch with you. We still have not heard from 15 members of the AgCenter family, all from the Crescent Region. Please contact Steve Mullen, (225) 578-4514; David Boethel, (225) 578-4181; Paul Coreil, (225) 578-1938 or me, (225) 578-4161. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Parker Coliseum has been set up as a temporary animal shelter. The crew operating the shelter is in desperate need of supplies and volunteers. They especially need help at night. Shannon Bere is coordinating this effort. Please contact her at the Livestock Show Office – (225) 578-2255.

Jane Jones at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock also is in desperate need of supplies and volunteers. Please help her if you can. Call first so she can stage the things that are needed.

 

9/1 -8:22 a.m.

In an effort to assist LSU AgCenter faculty and staff recover from losses resulting from Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation has established an AgCenter Relief Fund.

If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please send your check made payable to the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, to Mr. Trey Williams, P.O. Box 25100, Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5100. In the memo field of the check, indicate “Relief Fund.” If you would like to make your donation by credit card, you may do so by accessing the Louisiana 4-H Foundation website at www.La4HFoundation.org or by calling the 4-H Foundation office at 225-578-1172 and providing the necessary information.

All contributions are tax deductible. Be assured that 100% of all monies collected will be distributed to AgCenter faculty and staff affected by Katrina. No part of your donation will be used for administrative expenses, etc.

If you have any questions, please contact me or Trey Williams, Executive Director, Louisiana 4-H Foundation, at 225-578-1172 or email wwilliams@agctr.lsu.edu.
 

8/31 - 4:00pm

Temporary computer lab in 214 Efferson
As soon as displaced AgCenter employees have their families safe and sound, they can report back to work here on the LSU AgCenter campus and begin helping out with recovery and rebuilding operations across Southeast Louisiana. Steve Mullen has relocated his office in Efferson, and we would like to bring in everyone else needing a place to operate during this time of crisis. Temporary work stations and a computer lab with phones have been set up in 214 Efferson for displaced AgCenter employees. Please contact one of the vice chancellors, David Boethel or Paul Coreil, if you would like to temporarily relocate to Efferson. If a more convenient AgCenter work station is located closer to your temporary home or shelter, please coordinate this with your respective regional director and let us know. For now, the primary work focus of all displaced employees will be hurricane relief. No one should be concerned about job security, and no one should worry about returning to work until they take care of housing and family needs.

Movies for kids in Knapp
In an effort to help find activities for the children of AgCenter employees stranded in Baton Rouge, we are offering movies from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. in Knapp Auditorium on Thursday, Sept. 1. There will be supervision, and Ruth Mutrie is coordinating this.

8/31 - 11:25am

I will try to keep you updated through these e-mail messages on the latest developments as we cope with the disastrous effects of Hurricane Katrina. Many of you have asked how you can help your fellow employees who’ve been displaced. One way to help is by providing shelter in your homes, if you have extra rooms available. We have set up a phone number to call if you can provide shelter or if you need shelter. This is for AgCenter employees and their families only. Please call 225-578-2042. 

Those of you who want to volunteer your time, please go through existing volunteer agencies. If you want to give money, which is sorely needed, please contact Trey Williams in 4-H at 225-578-1172. We have set up an AgCenter Relief Fund through the 4-H Foundation. This money will go only to help AgCenter employees, several of whom are now homeless. 

The LSU campus has been set up as a command center for disaster relief in Louisiana. Several facilities on the LSU campus have been turned into makeshift hospitals. Please limit your travel on campus so as not to interfere with emergency vehicles. Please stay off Nicholson Drive altogether. 

We are trying to account for all of our AgCenter employees in the affected regions of the state. If you have not done so already, please let your regional director know your status. If you can’t reach your regional director, please contact Steve Mullen, the Crescent Region director. He is now working out of Efferson and can be reached at 225-578-4514.

This is a stressful time for us. Communication is essential. Please do not hesitate to contact me or the two vice chancellors, David Boethel and Paul Coreil. E-mail seems to be working better than phone service, in some cases.
 

8/30 - 10:51AM

Hurricane Katrina has caused hardship for many of our employees. To assist them in their efforts to recover, we have established several more emergency centers in addition to the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center. Any AgCenter employee needing a place to stay is to contact your director (David Boethel or Paul Coreil) if you plan to go to one of these sites. We will have people there to assist you. Please bring personal items.

To contact David Boethel, call his office (225-578-4181), cell (225-281-1114), second cell (225-773-0752), or his home (225-766-4111).

To call Paul Coreil, call his office (225-578-1938), cell (225-281-6443), or his home (225-767-8014).

Distributing payroll may be a problem where banks are closed. Ann Coulon is working on alternatives for you so you can get to your money. Please contact her office (225-578-6787) or her cell (225-205-7912).

Also, remember that we have a procedure for taking emergency leave for situations like this. The AgCenter offices will be open tomorrow wherever possible. All AgCenter offices in Baton Rouge will be open.

To get dial-up access, please use this number 1-800-256-3005 sparingly.  Click here for detail instructions to set up your computer.

Our first priority is the safety and well-being of our employees. Please be safe and take care of your families.

Bill Richardson

Help for payroll problems
At present, employees in affected areas unable to report to work or who work in units that are closed will be granted emergency leave with pay. Employees should stay in close contact with supervisory personnel for continuing instructions. Payroll for monthly-paid employees was run on schedule and will be properly deposited in bank accounts. We are not anticipating interruptions with this week's student payroll. Additional communication related to employees in affected areas will be forthcoming. Questions regarding leave or payroll should be directed to Ann Coulon at 225-578-6787, or on her cell at 225-205-7912; Sharon Salzer at 578-4643, or Elaine Henderson at 578-4641.