Message from President Marsden to the York U Community:
“The recent terrible tragedy of the tsunamis in Asia has caused untold suffering and loss to the people of the Indian Ocean Rim countries. We are also deeply concerned regarding students, faculty, staff and alumni who have been directly or indirectly affected by this disaster. To these individuals, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts are with all the people of the region and with those bringing relief and aid so desperately needed. This week, our community will gather together to express our condolences. In the coming weeks, York University and our community will explore ways to offer the expertise and knowledge of faculty, staff and students to support a meaningful response to this tragedy.”
Ways You Can Help:
1. Report any Faculty, Staff, Students or Alumni Affected by the Disaster
Administrators are making every effort to contact members of the York community who may have been in the region and or were affected by this disaster. We ask that anyone with information regarding these members of the York community or their families contact the university directly at presidnt@yorku.ca.
2. Learn about Resources Available at York
If you know of someone who may need additional assistance, resources are available to help at York.
Counselling for York students is available through:
- The Counselling & Development Centre 416-736-5297
- The Atkinson Counselling and Supervision Centre 416-736-5225
- Glendon Counselling & Career Centre 416-487-6709
- York faculty and staff interested in counselling services should contact Human Resources (Employee Well-Being Office) at ext. 55005.
3. Other Student Assistance:
- Emergency Student Financial Aid is also available for those international students affected by the tsunami. For more information about emergency bursaries, please contact York International at 416-736-5177.
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada will be providing assistance on a priority basis to international students who have been seriously and personally affected by the disaster in Asia and Southeast Asia. International students whose source of financial support has been affected, and who therefore require a work permit should call the CIC Tsunami call centre at 1-800-457-5035. The call centre staff will provide instructions for faxing applications to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville.
- The location of a drop-in centre on campus, where students can come together for support, will be announced shortly. Visit the Student Community and Leadership Development website at www.yorku.ca/scld/ for more information.
4. Those wishing to provide financial assistance to disaster relief, may contact the following non-governmental organizations:
Canadian Red Cross: 1-800-418-1111, www.redcross.ca
CARE Canada: 1-800-267-5232, www.care.ca
OXFAM Canada: 1-800-466-9326, www.oxfam.ca
World Vision Canada: 1-800-268-5528, www.worldvision.ca
UNICEF: 1-877-955-3111, www.unicef.ca
Doctors Without Borders: 1-800-982-7903, www.msf.ca
Save the Children: 1-800-668-5036, www.savethechildren.ca
5. Finally, Canadians trying to reach relatives or friends in the affected areas should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Emergency Contact Centre: at 1-800-606-5499 (toll free).
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For more information, please contact:
Nancy J. White, Director, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22094
