NICOLE ALBERTSON
News Assistant
Nearly two weeks after the devastating fire surged through Malibu and destroyed homes of several Pepperdine students and faculty members, SGA members say they are working hard to rebuild the community and support all of those affected by the fire.
As one of their many projects, SGA is coming together to plan fundraising event, organize volunteer programs with Malibu charities, and extend a helping hand to student and faculty members affected by the fire.
For the students and faculty who suffered damages in the fire, SGA is offering financial, housing and moving assistance. SGA has designated $300 to four students and two faculty member affected by the fire, totaling $1,800 from SGA alone. Two students have already been offered housing in the Lovernich Apartments for the rest of the semester.
“We are offering help on behalf of the student body and government,” SGA President Andy Canales said. “We are offering to help in any way possible, whatever they need.”
But Pepperdine is not alone in offering support and condolences. Pepperdine and SGA received letters and phone calls from several different universities including Loyola Marymount University, University of Utah and Buckham University.
“The SGA president of LMU called me to offer their condolences and support,” Canales said.
In conjunction with the Student Programming Board (SPB), SGA is planning to host a barbecue fundraising event in the plaza.
At the last meeting the senate approved a resolution to receive $3,000 to host the barbecue, according to Canales.
The barbecue will raise money to donate to charities that benefit fire victims.
“Each class is contributing something that will help get people to show up at the event,” said Junior Senator Britney Torres.
SGA will also be giving out t-shirts and have thank you cards ready to sign at the barbecue to commemorate the people and organization that protected Pepperdine in the fire. Each t-shirt and card will be in memory to the help that Pepperdine received.
The barbecue event is tentatively planned for the end of November.
The SPB has also agreed to match the $3,000 allotted by SGA to the event totaling $6,000.
“We want to celebrate that we came out of the fire safely and how well we worked together,” said Upper Dorm Senator Chris Tolan. “We want to recognize that there are departments that helped us get through the fire like Department of Public Safety (DPS), Los Angeles Fire Department and Housing.”
SGA students have also shown their appreciation for the received help by painting the rock in the quad with thanks to the different departments.
In addition to the barbecue celebration, SGA will be working with the Volunteer Center to contribute to the Malibu community.
“[We want] Pepperdine students to get involved and help the Malibu community,” Canales said. “It is still hard right now because there are safety and health precautions [due to air quality and ground debris]. But it speaks highly of our students that they want to help out.”
SGA and the Volunteer Center will be notifying and promoting ways students can help rebuild Malibu. The Volunteer Center will be providing a list of opportunities through the Pepperdine Web site.
But despite the smoke that came roaring over the mountains and surrounded Pepperdine, SGA is relaying the message that students felt safe and secure on campus during the dorm room evacuations.
“Overall students felt safe and thought that [the administration] did a great job,” Tolan said. “The emergency response systems made them feel secure.”
11-01-2007
