Care and Support After Hurricane Helene

September 30, 2024
Categories: Chancellor's Messages
A Message to Niner Nation

Dear Niner Nation,

Like so many of you, I spent much of the weekend following news from Western North Carolina and surrounding states about the destruction by Hurricane Helene. With communities cut off by washed away roads and downed trees and the loss of communication infrastructure, it will likely be days, if not weeks, before we fully understand the total devastation. What we have seen is shocking and heartbreaking.

Many in our campus community have family and friends in the affected areas. On behalf of all Niners, please know we are thinking of you and your loved ones during this stressful time. As you support your loved ones as they recover and rebuild, remember there are resources available to help you, too. 

For Students

If you must be absent from class to return home to assist your loved ones, please communicate your needs directly with your professors. If needed, the Office of Student Assistance and Support Services can help you with extended absences. 

For Faculty and Staff

Faculty, please be accommodating of students from affected areas if they must return home to assist their loved ones. You are encouraged to be lenient with requests for short absences. In the event of an extended absence, the Office of Student Assistance and Support Services can assist with verification. 

Managers, please be lenient with employees who may need to be away from work to help loved ones affected by this disaster.

Offering Assistance
Several of you have reached out to ask how you can help the students and employees at our fellow UNC System institutions during this time: UNC Asheville, Appalachian State University and Western Carolina University. The universities are still assessing damages, but working through the System, I have pledged our full support however it is needed. The Office of Emergency Management is leading our efforts to send resources to our sister institutions as they identify how we can best assist. 

If you would like to donate to help those in need, Appalachian State has set up a disaster relief fund that will be used to help their students and employees. We will continue to share information with you as additional relief funds are established and other opportunities to assist become clearer. 

The road to recovery from this storm will be long, but I am confident that Niner Nation will come together to support one another and our fellow institutions—the Mountaineers, Bulldogs and Catamounts—as they navigate this difficult time.

Please take care of yourselves and look out for each other in the days ahead. 

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor