To Our University of Miami Community,
As communities across Florida launch the long and difficult process of rescue and recovery in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the University of Miami has begun to mobilize resources to help our fellow Floridians and all those in harm’s way. Our campus in South Florida was fortunate to have been spared the worst of Hurricane Ian, but we have received distressing news from those within our ’Canes family about the loss and devastation they are currently facing.
In the immediate aftermath, it is difficult to know how many have been affected and to what degree, but as ’Canes fueled by a mission of service, we are determined to provide hope and take action during this critical time.
To that end, several of our departments and teams are already hard at work to determine how we can best provide relief and support. For instance, we are pleased to report that all our faculty and staff members at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Naples are accounted for and safe. While patients can be seen in the facility, Bascom Palmer’s Vision Van, which has mobilized in disasters as far away as Japan, is being readied to respond to further serve patients in the area.
Our Office of Emergency Management has partnered with Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University to assist our sister institution Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
We have been working with State of Florida officials to offer our support. A Major Disaster Declaration has been issued for the State, and response and recovery efforts are currently underway. The Florida Disaster Fund is the State’s official private fund to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org. Contributing to the Florida Disaster Fund is the quickest and most effective way we can help the community right now.
There are resources available to our students, faculty, and staff now, including the University Counseling Center, Student Health Service, the
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
, and more. The Division of Student Affairs team will be reaching out to affected students directly with additional information shortly.
To our Alumni ’Canes Communities in Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, and the Southwest Florida regions, your ’Canes family stands with you. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to support you during this difficult time.
’Canes care for ’Canes. In that spirit, it is very important that we all practice empathy, kindness, and flexibility in support of our students, faculty, staff, patients, and community members that have been affected by this disaster. They will need our solidarity and understanding in the weeks and months to come.
We will continue to share updates and provide details with you as they become available.
Strength and resilience define us as ’Canes. We will help our communities get through this together. |
