UAH Insight

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UAH provides emergency support to displaced students

"Emergency support began right away for nearly two dozen UAHuntsville students after an early morning fire destroyed their apartment building on Saturday, Nov. 17," said Delois H. Smith, vice president for student affairs at the university.

The good news, she said, was our students are all okay, but needed the university’s assistance in securing food, clothing, shelter and supplies. The majority of the students affected by the fire were athletes in tennis, hockey, cross-country and soccer.

"Thankfully, the students did not sustain serious injury, but most of their private property such as clothes, books and computer equipment were not salvageable. To have this fire happen during finals is very traumatic for students," Smith said.

After a Monday afternoon emergency strategy session with representatives across campus, alternative housing and food, and access to purchase clothes, books and other supplies were provided to students affected by the fire. Smith said students are also being provided with essentials such as bed linens, towels and notification of Campus computer labs that are open on a seven-day-a- week, 24-hour-a-day basis in North, Central Campus Residence Hall and Southeast Campus Residence Hall.

Smith said a main source of financial assistance used to aid students was provided through the Student, Staff and Faculty Emergency (SSAFE) Fund. The fund was started by Smith three years ago and provides emergency funds for UAHuntsville students and employees. "Monies are never given directly to individuals, only to agencies, companies or organizations with specific paperwork or billing to support the financial request," she said.

Within the last year, SSAFE has disbursed nearly $12,000 in expenditures for students, faculty and staff.

"SSAFE was created to provide financial gift relief from the stress, pressure and anxiety of besetting and pre-emptive difficulties that occur," Smith said. "Many have been helped through the fund and when their circumstances have allowed, they have given back out of gratitude and generosity. All donations to SSAFE are tax deductible and accepted through the university foundation."

Specific assistance for displaced students include ongoing counseling sessions through the UAHuntsville Counseling Center, housing, meal cards, John’s Big Brother Grocery (off campus food source), Wal-Mart gift cards (clothes, shoes and toiletries), University Dry Cleaners and the UAHuntsville Bookstore (books and supplies).