Response to Fire – Update #6

Dear Campus Community:

In calls and emails this weekend, I was reminded of the strength of our community and its resolve to recover from the Waldo Canyon Fire. This morning, I want to provide an update on the first steps of that recovery, helping those members of our university family who have been directly affected by the fire.

Many of you have asked what you can do to help those members of our campus family whose homes were lost. It is impossible to know what specific help they need. I have asked three people to lead efforts to match offers of assistance with those directly affected. Please contact the following with your offer to help.

Teri Switzer, dean, Kraemer Family Library will coordinate efforts to support Rita Hug, senior instructor, Kraemer Family Library. Rita’s home in Mountain Shadows was destroyed by the fire. Dean Switzer can be reached at 255-3115 or [email protected].

Ede Greene, professor, Department of Psychology, will coordinate efforts to support Sara Qualls, professor, Department of Psychology. Sara recently moved to Mountain Shadows and her home was destroyed. Professor Greene can be reached at 255-4147 or [email protected].

Kelly Mattingly, executive assistant, Office of the Chancellor, will coordinate efforts to support Martin Wood, vice chancellor, University Advancement. Martin’s Mountain Shadows home was destroyed by the fire. Kelly can be reached at 255-3436 or [email protected].

I have heard from several staff and faculty members who live in the area affected by the fire but whose homes were not seriously damaged. These colleagues should receive our support as it may be several weeks before they can return home.

Additionally, I know many of our students live in the affected neighborhoods and may be displaced. I encourage continued patience with those students. If students need assistance from the university, they should contact the Division of Student Success, 255-3159.

I continue to be proud of your response as individuals and our collective response as a university to this disaster. I will provide another update this afternoon.

Respectfully,

Pam Shockley-Zalabak, chancellor