News Release

UNC to host discussion on recovery,
rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina

CHAPEL HILL — As the nation recovers from the devastating effects of Hurricane, a public forum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Thursday (Sept. 22) will address readiness and challenges arising from natural disasters.

"Katrina: Preparing for and Responding to Natural Disasters" will bring together prominent experts in public health, city and regional planning, philosophy and ethics, social work, history and community service to discuss their views and those of the audience on the implications of Katrina and other natural disasters. The forum is sponsored by the UNC General Alumni Association.

The forum is part of the "Think Fast" series, which the General Alumni Association conducts to provide timely forums on breaking news stories that dominate the public conscience.

Free to the public, the forum will be on campus in the George Watts Hill Alumni Center from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

"It’s important that Carolina alumni and the community have access to campus experts who can share their insights about this important event in our lives," said Doug Dibbert, General Alumni Association president. "We hope alumni and friends attending will take part in framing the discussion."

Each panelist will give opening remarks, after which the forum will open to audience questions. The panel will include the following UNC faculty and staff with topic area of expertise noted:

• Dr. Philip R. Berke, professor of city and regional planning and faculty fellow at UNC’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies, who will focus on "After the Disaster: Do Cities Thrive and Recover?"
• Dr. Edward I. Baker, director of the N.C. Institute for Public Health, who will address the "UNC School of Public Health Response to Hurricane Katrina."
• Dr. Douglas MacLean, professor of philosophy and director of UNC’s Parr Center for Ethics, who will focus on "Race, Class and Rescue: What Does Katrina Tell Us about American Values?"
• Joe Glatthaar, Alan Stephenson Professor of Civil War History, who will address "The Role of the Military."
• Joanne Caye, assistant clinical professor in the School of Social Work, whose topic is titled "Helping Families and Children Manage."
• Dr. Lynn Blanchard, director of the Carolina Center for Public Service, who will focus on "Coordinating the University’s Relief Efforts in Response to Natural Disasters."

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Background on several of the scheduled speakers can be found on the faculty experts database at: https://s4.its.unc.edu/UNCExperts/uncexperts/expertsform

To learn more about UNC faculty with Katrina-related expertise, see tip sheet at: http://www.unc.edu/news/newstips/2005/hurricane090205.htm

UNC Hurricane Relief site: http://www.unc.edu/cps/katrina.html

General Alumni Association contact: Ray Linville, (919) 962-3574
News Services contact: Lisa Katz, (919) 962-2093