Carolina’s Response to the Haiti Earthquake
Letter from Chancellor Holden Thorp
January 14, 2010Dear Carolina community,
Whenever disaster strikes, Carolina faculty, staff and students immediately ask, “What can we do to help?”
The people of Haiti are suffering enormously as a result of the massive earthquake that hit there. We know of one doctoral student who was there, and we understand that her injuries are not serious. We also know that we have four students who are from Haiti, and our thoughts are with them as they seek information about their loved ones back home. If you have information about other members of our community who have been affected, please let us know.
Carolina schools and organizations are already coming together to respond to the disaster, and we’ll keep you updated in the coming days. The Extended Disaster Relief Committee of the Campus Y, with support from Student Government, will be organizing centralized collection resources in the community. And the Carolina Center for Public Service will collect information about efforts across campus. You can send information to: ccps@unc.edu. The center will begin posting information tomorrow on its web site.
The Gillings School of Global Public Health also has an excellent web site that highlights examples of its work in disaster preparedness and response.
Campus offices can provide resources and support for people who have been affected in some way by the earthquake and its aftermath. Students may contact the Dean of Students Office, 919-966-4042, as well as Counseling and Wellness Services, part of Campus Health Services, 919-966-3658. Faculty or staff may call the Employee Assistance Program, 919-929-2362.
Many of our faculty members have expertise in fields related to the disaster and can provide context for the media. If you know of faculty who should be listed as related experts, please contact News Services at news@unc.edu or 919-962-2091.
We will post updated information about Carolina and the relief efforts in Haiti regularly, so please check back for updates.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp
Resources and Support
Students
Dean of Students Office, 919-966-4042 and Counseling and Wellness Services, part of Campus Health Services, 919-966-3658, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Faculty or Staff
Employee Assistance Program, 919-929-2362, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The North
Carolina Government Employees Assistance Program Web site provides additional resources and contact
information.