SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED

Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi sent the following email the afternoon of Nov. 14:

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Over the last few days we have been deeply saddened by the news of the widespread loss of life and the devastating destruction of whole communities and towns in the Philippines as a consequence of Typhoon Haiyan. An event of this magnitude touches each of us.

At UC Davis we have many Filipino students, visiting scholars, staff and faculty, as well as numerous connections and collaborations with colleagues, friends and family in the Philippines.

On behalf of our entire UC Davis community I wish to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences and encourage all of us to explore ways we can support those in need. The several Filipino American organizations at UC Davis are currently organizing relief efforts and will hold a meeting on Thursday evening for those interested in learning more.

Likewise, The New York Times and CNN have provided information on organizations assisting in the relief effort: “How to Help Philippines Typhoon Victims,” The New York Times; and “How to Help Typhoon Haiyan Survivors,” CNN.

Thank you for your generosity at this time of need.

Sincerely,

Linda P.B. Katehi
Chancellor

The Fil Am student community at UC Davis is asking people to “Rise Up!” in support of the community's fundraising drive for typhoon relief in the Philippines.

In addition, the community has organized a meeting tonight (Nov. 14) for anyone who wishes to help in the fundraising effort or learn more about what is happening in the Philippines in the wake of the Typhoon Haiyan tragedy. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in Meeting Room D at the Student Community Center.

Donations to the Rise Up! UCD Fil Am Typhoon Relief Fund can be made online or at the Student Recruitment and Retention Center in the Student Community Center.

“A dollar goes a long way in the Philippines,” the relief fund organizers wrote on the fund’s online site. “All monetary donations will be sent through the (U.S.-based) National Alliance for Filipino Concerns or NAFCON, an organization that works closely with grass-roots community organizations in the Philippines. Their Bayanihan Relief and Rehabilitation Program ensures that monetary donations go directly to the communities in need.”

Michelle Martin, a leader in the relief effort, said the term “Fil Am community” at UC Davis pertains to seven student organizations. Martin is the president of one of them: Mga Kapatid (Tagalog for “My Brothers and Sisters”), a social, cultural, political and academic organization of about 200 students.

The others are: Chi Rho Omicron, Filipino interest fraternity, Kappa Psi Epsilon, Filipina interest sorority; Filipino Association for Health Careers; Filipinos in Liberal Arts and Humanities; Filipinos Americans in Science and Engineering; and BRIDGE (Filipino/a outreach and retention).

Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines six days ago. The Associated Press reported today (Nov. 14) a confirmed death toll of 2,357, and noted that this number is expected to rise, perhaps significantly.

UC Davis’ Services for International Students and Scholars reached out to students and scholars from the Philippines earlier this week,  advising by email that SISS “is here to provide whatever assistance we can.”

According to SISS, UC Davis has six international students and four scholars from the Philppines, and almost 1,250 domestic students who identify themselves as Filipino or Filipino American. Study Abroad has no students in the Philippines.

A psychologist from Counseling Services reached out to Fil Am student representatives to offer her unit’s support and services. The counseling unit for students is in North Hall; urgent mental health care is provided at the Student Health and Wellness Center.

SISS provided similar information in a Nov. 12 email to students and scholars from the Philppines, listing Counseling Services as a resource for students, and the Academic and Staff Assistance Program, or ASAP, as a resource for scholars, for assistance in dealing with the stress often associated with challenging times.

Davis campus ASAP: Guilbert House, 112 A St., across the street from Voorhies Hall; call (530) 752-2727 for appointments. Sacramento campus ASAP: 2100 Ticon III, 2730 Stockton Blvd., two blocks south of the main hospital; call (916) 734-2727 for appointments.