Assistance Available for Students Impacted by Wildfire

[ September 7, 2020, 9:13 AM ]

Dear Students,

Following the campus email message sent last night about the Creek Fire and impacts to our neighboring mountain communities, I wanted to reach out to provide you with additional information in the event that you have been directly impacted by the fires, including the loss of belongings or primary residence. 

Be assured that the University is prepared to assist affected students with campus services to help them through this difficult situation.

Fresno State students who have been displaced by the Creek Fire are encouraged to call Diana Karageozian, case manager in the Student Health & Counseling Center, at 559.278.6736, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., as of tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 8. 

Diana will assist affected students with access to emergency resources such as food, lodging, clothing, the Good Samaritan Fund and counseling – to help them through this difficult situation.

Due to the current circumstances related to COVID-19, Fresno State Housing has a limited  number of available bed spaces to accommodate affected students. 

If displaced students need assistance with lodging today (Monday), please call Fresno State Police dispatch at 559.278.8400. They will coordinate with the director of Fresno State Housing.

The University’s Project Hope website is also a helpful resource for students. Project Hope is a case management program that provides individualized support to students who are in crisis or experiencing challenges impacting their education.

As a reminder, if you have had to evacuate or have lost internet connectivity or power due to the fires, please fill out this Wildfire Impact Form. (These forms will be sent directly to Amy Luna, the University’s Emergency Preparedness Manager who will also share with each academic dean so that we are able to identify additional resources that may be needed to assist our students.)

In addition, if you have been affected by the fires, please contact your instructor regarding your situation so they are aware of the possibility of your inability to participate in courses this week. (Faculty will receive guidance from the Office of the Provost on how to accommodate for the flexibility that may be needed for our students who have been directly affected by the fire.)

If you need further assistance with academic-related matters, please contact Dean Bernadette Muscat: bmuscat@csufresno.edu.  

For timely updates, please check your Fresno State email regularly, and see updates on http://www.fresnostate.edu/alert and on the University’s primary Twitter and Instagram accounts.

We are continuing to monitor the situation in case we learn of students, faculty or staff who are in need of assistance. Please join us in keeping them and our neighboring mountain communities in your thoughts as valiant first responders work to contain the Creek Fire and care for the injured.


Sincerely,