Dear Members of the USF Community,
As I write, the fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties are still raging and the impact on tens of thousands of residents and multiple neighborhoods is yet to be fully determined. The images of the destruction and people fleeing from flames are horrific.
I know you are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our students and colleagues, as well as your friends and family members who live and work near the disaster areas. In addition to actively monitoring news reports, we are praying for all affected, including firefighters and first responders. We look forward to information from officials and civic leaders about how we can help and support recovery efforts.
In the meantime, I want to share three pieces of information:
- Our colleagues in Student Life have already reached out by email to all current undergraduate and graduate students whose homes are in the affected areas. They are reminding students of the services available here on campus — including counseling, academic support, University Ministry resources, and direct assistance through the Office of the Dean of Students.
- USF faculty and staff who live in and work remotely from Southern California (and who have family members in the area): Please be reminded that CONCERN, the university’s employee assistance program, can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Simply call (800) 344-4222.
- As you are well aware, the Bay Area is not immune from the impact of wildfires and wildfire smoke. I want to assure you we are regularly reviewing and updating our protocols related to wildfires and the impact of poor air quality on our campus and operations. We stand ready to communicate to the campus community quickly and with comprehensive information if and when our campus is impacted.
Thank you for your prayers for our sisters and brothers affected by the Southern California fires, and for your ongoing care and concern for our students and colleagues.
Sincerely,
John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
Interim President
Chancellor and Chief Mission Officer