Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Sunny Lee and Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion Dania Matos shared the following message of support on August 17, 2023:
Dear undergraduate, graduate and professional school students,
As you are undoubtedly aware, there has been a destructive fire in Lāhainā on the island of Maui in Hawai’i. As of latest media reports, there are more than 106 casualties (though, sadly, this number may grow as more is learned) and hundreds of structures have been destroyed. We offer our deepest sympathy to the friends, family, and loved ones of those killed or injured. Our records show that you are from Maui or other Hawaiian islands; or that you, your family or your friends may have been impacted by this horrible event. You can read more about campus support for those impacted by this fire.
The safety and well-being of each of you are of utmost concern to us. Should you be grappling with the repercussions of these wildfires, we encourage you to explore academic flexibility in consultation with your instructors.
In case you seek support during this challenging time, our campus offers a range of resources:
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General Support: Visit the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students’ Well Being resource, which provides more information about holistic wellness resources across campus. To discover additional resources and establish connections, reach out to deanofstudents@berkeley.edu.
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Mental Health Support: Campus counselors at University Health Services at the Tang Center are available on a drop-in basis for urgent concerns. Visit the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) website or call at (510) 642-9494. When the Tang Center is closed, call the after hours counseling line (855) 817-5667.
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Financial Support: Learn more about short-term emergency loans, or contact Cal Student Central if you need assistance.
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Student Legal Services Support: Learn more about student legal services for advice on legal questions, rights, and obligations or call at (510) 642-3916.
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Pacific Islander (PI) Initiative: Learn more about resources and programming for Pacific Islander students.
Be well, and take care of yourselves and each other.
Sunny Lee, Ph.D
she/her
Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students
Dania Matos, J.D.
she/her/ella
Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion