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UH Law Center Young Alumni Committee members assist with Hurricane Harvey cleanup.

Faculty, staff, and students completed surveys to assess Harvey’s impact. UHLC Professor Chase co-chairs Harvey relief fund advisory
Every student, full-time faculty and staff member were accounted for after committee
the storm. University of Houston Law Center Associate
“I would not feel comfortable until I knew that all the students were safe,” Professor Anthony R. Chase was named
said Sondra R. Tennessee, associate dean of Student Affairs. co-chair of the advisory committee of the
According to the surveys, most Law Center students were not impacted by Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund in September
Harvey, but 23 percent reported minor losses and three percent suffered to ensure there is a process to determine the
major damages. The survey indicated that 73 percent of students sheltered needs of flood victims that are not met by
in place, and 27 percent evacuated their dwellings. Tony Chase other sources.
Clinical Associate Professor Geoffrey Hoffman, director of the Law The fund was established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and
Center’s Immigration Clinic, led several volunteering efforts assisting Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. The Greater Houston Community
flood victims with pressing legal questions. Foundation will oversee and administer the grant distribution process.
The 10-member advisory committee will approve funding for various
“The most urgent needs are going to be lost documentation like a green purposes, including shelter and temporary housing needs, food and
card or work authorization,” Hoffman said. “Another urgent need is if supplies, healthcare, transportation, child care, facility needs of child care
somebody is undocumented and they may be afraid of deportation and and social service agencies, and others.
how to deal with those issues. We’re also trying to direct immigrants to
FEMA and determine if they’re eligible or not.” “The mayor and county judge partnered to create the Hurricane Harvey
Relief Fund to provide short, medium, and longer-term recovery assistance,”
Students, faculty and staff volunteered at the George R. Brown said Chase, chairman and CEO of Chase Source who teaches Contracts,
Convention Center in partnership with the Tahirih Justice Center. They Communications Law, Entrepreneurship and Race & American Law.
later helped evacuees at the NRG Center where Hoffman volunteered
alongside Baynes, Janet Beck, a visiting clinical assistant professor at the “The resources, consistent with previous natural disasters, will be directed to
Immigration Clinic, and Lone Star Legal Aid. non-profit organizations with strong capacity and successful track records
in helping individuals and families rebuild their lives. Together with the
“Lawyers are presented with many opportunities, and it is important for other board members I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
us to give back. We set the standard of leadership in our communities,”
said Baynes, “At times like this, it is ever so important for attorneys to In announcing the appointment of Chase and Bill Jackson, Harris County
reach out to serve their communities. It is a blessing that the Law Center is Budget Officer, to lead the advisory committee, Stephen Maislin, CEO
able to provide service to the greater Houston community during this time of the Greater Houston Community Foundation, said, “The Hurricane
of need.” Harvey Relief Fund is vital to the recovery efforts and will fill gaps where
federal and state funding will not. In other words, many of these funds will

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