An email from University Relations sent on April 29, 2011 announced the establishment of the UA Acts of Kindness Fund to support emergency assistance for UA students and employees. The fund would raise more than $2.7 million from 3,016 donors, UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen said.

“The University administration created the fund to respond to the large number of individuals who wanted to assist University students, faculty and staff after the tornado,” she said in an email.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the use of $500,000 left over from the fund to create the UA Acts of Kindness Endowed Scholarship earlier this month.

“The endowment will be used to help current students who are facing an unexpected emergency situation,” Andreen said. Another $400,000 left in the fund will be used for employees.

The Acts of Kindness: Employee Emergency Relief Fund exists to provide appropriate relief to eligible faculty and staff of the University who experience a qualifying event or emergency, according to the programs website. University employees can learn more about the fund at financialaffairs.ua.edu/benfund/.

The fund is directed by a committee of seven and includes a representative of the faculty, alumni, staff, and athletics department; a representative familiar with financial aid; a representative appointed by the president; and a faculty or staff representative appointed by the University vice president of student affairs. Current employees classified as regular full time or regular part time and have completed their mandatory six month introductory period are eligible for awards.

To begin the application process, employees must contact the Work Life Manager in the Department of Human Resources.

The process for students to apply for the endowed scholarship is being developed, UA spokesman Chris Bryant said.

“It’s projected that sometime this summer, a process through which students may apply will be established,” Bryant said in an email.

The fund received a large initial boost from the University of Alabama Athletics Department. The department announced it was contributing $1 million to the UA Acts of Kindness fund on May 6, 2011.

“After looking into several ways to help during this trying time, we have decided to take funds of our own to assist those members of the UA community who are facing very difficult circumstances,” UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore said at the time. “Our ability to help is a direct result of the incredible support of our fan base, whose continued support and enthusiasm makes everything we accomplish possible.”