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The Southeastern Conference announced Thursday it would donate $500,000 to the University of Alabama to assist those impacted by the rash of tornadoes that swept through the state last week.
The donation, meant to supplement contributions from other institutions, will be used to assist students, faculty and staff connected with the university in Tuscaloosa, the conference said in a statement on its website.
"Our hearts go out to all the victims of these recent tornadoes but especially to our academic colleagues and their students," said Dr. Bernie Machen, President of the University of Florida and the Southeastern Conference.
"While we compete fiercely in athletics we also support each other fiercely in times of need. The efforts of the conference and our institutions will help alleviate the effects of this devastating catastrophe," Machen said.
The university was forced to suspend operations last week after several tornadoes ravaged the southern United States.
According to the Birmingham News, Alabama canceled final exams, giving students the option to accept their current grades or reschedule their finals at a later date.
Commencement ceremonies originally scheduled to take place May 7 also have been pushed back to August.
"The University of Alabama is extremely grateful to the Southeastern Conference for this donation," said Dr. Robert E. Witt, President of the University of Alabama. "During the past week, it has been heartwarming to see the efforts of so many people support the victims of the tornadoes. The University will continue to move forward as a family."
Officials believe 328 people were killed during the storms that swept through the South. Alabama was the hardest-hit with 236 people reported dead. More than 40 died in Tuscaloosa County.
A record-breaking 312 tornadoes were recorded over one day during the storms, according to preliminary estimates released by federal authorities.
The tornadoes that struck Alabama reportedly caused more than $2 billion in damage. The federal government has declared the state a category one natural disaster.
