A weekend fire at an off-campus apartment complex resulted in no injuries, although some UNC Charlotte students are being displaced for repairs to their apartments. Departments within the Division for Student Affairs responded immediately, offering the displaced students optional housing on campus, counseling services and contacts with the American Red Cross. One office is coordinating collection of temporary supplies.
Christine Reed Davis, dean of students, contacted students and their parents via email; she expressed her sympathies for their situation and provided details on how the University could assist them.
The Housing and Residence Life Office can provide temporary or academic year on-campus housing, noted Davis. Also, the Office of Off-Campus and Volunteer Outreach is collecting toiletry and linens.
The 49er ID Office is waiving the normal replacement fees for the Campus Edge students who lost or damaged their ID in the fire, and Counseling Center personnel are available for short-term counseling or referrals to off-campus resources.
Barnes & Noble at UNC Charlotte has offered to work with students to replace textbooks damaged/lost in the fire, and the Parking and Transportation Office is providing a reduced rate for them to park on campus.
“I am so impressed by how quickly various departments on campus came together to provide services and accommodations for the 28 students displaced, starting with Police and Public Safety Department personnel who responded to assist Charlotte Fire Department and who gathered the names of students affected by the fire,” said Davis. “I am also touched by people within the greater Charlotte community including UNC Charlotte alums with the American Red Cross and CORT Furniture, local hotel representatives and individual community members who have reached out and asked what they can do to help. It is a clear display of support and collaboration within the University and local community to support Niner Nation members in need.”
Six of the 28 students displaced by the fire are student-athletes; according to Davis, the Athletics Department also is gathering resources to assist them.