All of us are deeply concerned about the wildfires burning in so many parts of Southern California. We extend our support and sympathy to members of the UCLA family who are directly affected, including some who have lost their homes. We are anxious about their welfare and want to help in any way we can. We are also mindful of our staff members at the UCLA Conference Center in Lake Arrowhead, which has been evacuated as a precaution. They have been relocated to UC Riverside.

 

Our thoughts also are with those on our sister UC campuses that have been severely impacted, especially UC San Diego. We have been in touch with UCSD to express our concern and readiness to provide assistance.

 

Please bear in mind that the Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a revised Public Health Advisory reminding school campuses and people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses to limit outdoor activity today because of the unhealthy air conditions as a result of the fires.

 

Students directly impacted by the fires and concerned about mid-terms, other class scheduling issues or campus support services should contact the Dean of Students Office at 1206 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-3871 or at dean@saonet.ucla.edu. Student Psychological Services staff will be available by phone 24 hours a day at (310) 825-0768 and for walk-in appointments at the John Wooden Center West during regular business hours.

 

UCLA employees who may need to request emergency leave should contact campus human resources at (310) 794-0800. Other support resources include the Staff and Faculty Counseling Center at (310) 794-0245. To apply for an emergency loan through the 403 (b) Plan, please go to http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/.

 

If you would like to lend personal assistance in this crisis, please contact the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/.

 

As updated information is available, it will be posted at the UCLA Newsroom.

 

Sincerely,

 

Gene D. Block
Chancellor