Ithaca College

Ithaca College has launched several new initiatives to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The College will make a direct institutional contribution to a student-organized fund-raising campaign, allow for employees to donate vacation time toward relief efforts, and provide paid time off for employees to volunteer with relief agencies.

“Ithaca College has a proud tradition of service to our local community and to the world at large,” says President Peggy R. Williams. “I am proud of the individual and collective response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster from our students, staff, and faculty. We have welcomed students from our sister institutions in the Gulf Coast area and have undertaken a wide array of programs to lend our support. As the relief efforts and rebuilding will continue for a very long period, we will continue to look for ways to provide assistance to those affected.”

For more information and for the latest updates on Ithaca College’s response to Hurricane Katrina, visit www.ithaca.edu/katrina.

Ithaca College 1:1 Match
In support of the student-sponsored “Strive to Give $5” campaign for hurricane relief -- organized by the African-Latino Society and the College’s chapter of the American Red Cross -- Ithaca College has committed to matching each donation from members of the IC community on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to $35,000. This unprecedented match is made possible by an external grant to the College, so the contribution will not come out of student tuition funds. All money raised will be directed to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund of the American Red Cross.

“The campaign seeks to raise at least $35,000, and will do so if every member of the College community donates a minimum of $5.00,” notes Williams. “With this institutional commitment, we could help double that goal.”

In order to assist employees -- including all faculty, staff, and student workers -- with their donations to the “Strive to Give $5” campaign, the College has made payroll deduction available. Those interested in using this alternative can print out the payroll deduction form at the Office of Financial Services website (www.ithaca.edu/financial_services), check the Disaster Relief Fund option on the form, and send it directly to the payroll office for entry into the system. Pay advice slips will serve as proof of donation for individual tax deduction purposes.

Give a Day of Vacation
Staff members are invited to donate a day of accrued vacation time which will be converted to the appropriate dollar amount and contributed to the “Strive to Give $5” campaign by the College on their behalf. Employees can donate a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 7.5 hours of vacation time.

This special initiative is supported by the IRS and does not allow for a tax deduction due to the pre-tax status of the vacation time benefit.

Paid Leave of Absence
To support those staff members interested in being directly involved in official relief service for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Ithaca College will allow up to two weeks of paid leave. The College will consider requests made via supervisors and their respective vice president on a case-by-case basis.

“We have decided to expand the College’s public service leave policy for this exceptional circumstance,” says Williams. “This will allow relief agencies the opportunity to tap into the interest, expertise, and energy our employees can bring to this important task.”

Those interested in participating in or who have questions about the vacation time and paid leave of absence initiatives should contact Robin Davis, assistant director of benefits, at rodavis@ithaca.edu or 274-3245.

All of the initiatives will remain in effect through the end of the 2005–6 academic year and will be reassessed at that time.