The Baton Rouge Area Foundation established the LSU Employee Assistance Fund at the request of LSU President F. King Alexander, according to a news release from University Relations. The fund was created to aid University workers who were affected by disasters and hardships, such as the recent flood.

The fund was set up through BRAF’s Employees 1st program, which helps expedite the availability of flood relief funds to employees, according to the release. The program sprang from BRAF’s efforts after Hurricane Katrina to provide short-term financial assistance to workers.

“While the LSU campus was relatively untouched, many of our Tiger family suffered ruinous damage to their homes. Employees and students’ lives are in upheaval. We have a duty to help them, and I am asking all Tigers everywhere to join together in support of our LSU community,” Alexander said in the release.

The University recently set up the Student Relief Fund, which provides monetary awards for students affected by the flood. University employees also have the option to donate paid time off to other employees affected by the disaster.

Other programs, such as a free laundry service and the LSU Food Pantry, are also in place to help students and employees, the release said. LSU Dining and Chartwells also provided a complimentary dinner service.

The University Registrar’s Office will also reprint any LSU diploma damaged in the flooding free of charge.

“The LSU Board of Supervisors is supporting the appeal effort from the local to the international level. We feel that we have to do something quickly to help our employees and students in this critical time of need,” said board chairman Ray Lasseigne.
To make a gift to the LSU Employee Assistance Fund, please visit http://www.employees1st.org/lsu or call Patricia Calfee at 225-387-6126.