UDM teams with JRS to help Haiti schools

Alumni from Engineering and Architecture needed

Starting this month, University of Detroit Mercy, in conjunction with the Jesuit Relief Service (JRS), will organize several volunteer teams of engineers and architects to assist Haiti's Department of Education in assessing Port-au-Prince school buildings that were damaged by the Jan. 12 earthquake.

If you are an engineer or architect, please consider serving as a building inspector. Volunteers should have five years of documented experience in engineering, architecture or building inspection and will receive post-disaster inspection training before departing on the week-long assignment.

The estimated cost for each volunteer is $1,500 to $2000 to cover travel, vaccinations, training and supplies. Each team will consist of two to three volunteer inspectors. JRS, the Jesuit Province and UDM is providing seed money for this project, with additional fundraising occurring to defray the cost to volunteers.

Alan Hoback, associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of UDM's newly-established Architectural Engineering degree, is spearheading this project with support from Assistant Professor of Architecture Gilbert Sunghera, S.J.

"We will have the first team in Haiti during Spring Break week (March 8-14), with other teams following in March and April," says Fr. Sunghera. "There are 4,700 schools that need to be assessed as to their structural condition and safety by the end of March so children can return to school. UDM teams will be responsible for 150 of these damaged schools.

"As UDM prepares to offer a new Architectural Engineering degree," Fr. Sunghera adds, "this initiative aligns well with UDM's mission and expertise in engineering and architecture."

Fr. Sunghera and UDM Architecture alumnus Joseph Coriaty '78, of Los Angeles and will travel down in the first team.

For individuals who wish to volunteer, please contact Alan Hoback at hobackas@udmercy.edu or see the Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering Department's Haiti web page.

If you can provide financial assistance for the project, such as sponsoring a volunteer inspector, please make a gift toward the effort (select "Haiti Architecture Project" as the designation for your gift).