Dear Campus Community Members:
While I remain concerned about the health and welfare of many in our community, I am writing to share positive news as well as several updates about activities on campus.
At this morning’s media briefing, fire officials were optimistic about the progress they would make today. Weather conditions are favorable and more than 1,000 firefighters are now in place. With 18,500 acres burned and with only 5 percent of the fire contained, much work remains. This morning’s report does, however, provide hope.
UCCS hosts USAFA evacuees. Late last night, about 200 U.S. Air Force cadets arrived on campus, bringing the total number of evacuees housed at UCCS to more than 350. For details, please see the press release that was issued http://pressreleases.uccs.edu/?p=1020. If you need housing, please call (719) 255-4042 and identify yourself as a faculty or staff member.
Volunteers still needed. More than 80 students, faculty and staff have volunteered to assist the campus in this time of need. If you have not volunteered and are able to do so, please contact Cindy Norton, (719) 255-3212 or [email protected].
President Obama to visit Colorado Springs. The White House announced yesterday that President Obama will visit Colorado Springs. We do not know where he will visit.
Media staging area expands. UCCS continues to be the official media briefing site in Parking Lot 8 near the Campus Recreation Center. The media area continues to expand, often with community members interested in the latest information. If you are interested in hearing the latest news, I encourage you to take advantage of live streams provided by local television and radio stations. The sound quality is actually better than if you were to attend the briefings in person. Media from coast-to-coast are covering the Waldo Canyon Fire. The fire was the front page story in the New York Times and was the subject of national morning television news shows. Our response to the crisis is putting UCCS in a national spotlight.
Classes and activities will continue as scheduled. Classes remain in session and Friday’s New Student Orientation will occur as planned. We will continue to monitor air quality on campus but believe our air conditioned buildings provide the safest venue for students, faculty and staff.
Administrative leave explained. I shared via campus email lists our policy regarding employee administrative leave during this crisis. I encourage you to be aware of this policy and our commitment to work with employees on a case-by-case basis.
As a reminder, I want to strongly discourage smoking on campus, that the Counseling Center is available, and that the Student Success Division is working with individual students affected by the fires. There is also a website where you can keep track of the university’s action at www.uccs.edu/waldocanyonfire
I am reminded of statements that a community’s darkest hour provides its greatest opportunity to shine. I am proud of our campus response to this disaster and thank each of you for the care that you have shown to each other and to strangers. I encourage you to keep up your good work.
Respectfully,
Pam Shockley-Zalabak, Chancellor
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