Olympia Drive Fire: Message From Dean of Students Office

At 4 pm. on Nov. 8, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Patricia Cardoso-Erase sent the following message.

Today has been a difficult day for our community, and we know there are still more challenges ahead as we support those affected by the Olympia Place fire. We are deeply grateful and relieved that there were no injuries to our students, first responders, or other members of our community. However, we recognize that the impact of this fire will continue to unfold over the coming days and weeks.

Our Emergency Operations Team established an Emergency Resource Center to address the immediate needs of students affected by the fire. We are grateful that the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and representatives from Olympia Place's management company joined us on campus to help our students. <</p>

As of 4 p.m., we have connected with nearly one-half of the students impacted, and the Dean of Students Office will continue individual outreach to any students who did not check in at the Emergency Resource Center.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support for the students who have been impacted. At this time, the best way our community can help those affected is by contributing to or sharing the Dean of Students Student Care and Emergency Response Fund: https://minutefund.uma-foundation.org/project/20457 collects and distributes financial support for students with emergency needs.

As the Dean of Students Office works with the impacted students, we will assess with them their needs going forward. We then will work with the campus community to the future collection and distribution of supplies and will update this Olympia Fire Response Update page as new information becomes available.

Please be cautious of donation or collection drives that are not organized by the university. While these efforts are often well-intentioned, we cannot verify their legitimacy.

Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and care for one another during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Patricia Cardoso-Erase
Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students