Dear University of Miami Community,

Once again, the U has demonstrated its ability to take on all challenges and summon a common strength to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies. As classes resume today, we now turn our attention to our neighbors in the Bahamas, our brothers and sisters who lived through a nightmare of horrific destruction and now face a daunting and perilous recovery period.

The University is launching “The U Responds: Hurricane Dorian Response Fund,” a coordinated effort led by the Division of Development and Alumni Relations to raise funds for the University’s recovery efforts in the Bahamas, recovery efforts of our partner organizations in the impacted areas, and for other areas affected by Dorian.

Freeport—where a devastating Category 5 Dorian remained nearly stationary for more than 40 hours—is just 110 miles from Miami. The island nation of the Bahamas has greatly influenced our South Florida culture and the history of Miami. We have at the University of Miami 18 students from the Bahamas, and two dozen faculty and staff from the islands. Both the Student Affairs Counseling Center and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program are available to offer support services to those affected by the storm.

As we did following the 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, our collective health care enterprise, including the Miller School of Medicine, UHealth, and the School of Nursing and Health Studies, is assisting in coordinating relief efforts by nonprofit organizations, and some of our doctors and nurses will be deployed as first responders to bring critical health care to those in need. Expect more information on this in the coming days and weeks.

Here at home, I am thankful to the hundreds of people who ensured the safety of our students, faculty, staff, patients, and others in our community as Hurricane Dorian made its approach toward Florida, especially those with the Office of Emergency Management, which coordinated the University’s response to Dorian; Facilities, Operations and Planning; Student Affairs; University Communications; and our medical teams that put patient safety first.

I am asking all ’Canes to step up and help support Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in any way you can. This recovery effort will be long and difficult. Please help our Bahamian neighbors and keep them and others affected by Dorian in your thoughts.

We Are One U,