May 6, 2009

TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

Dear Colleagues:

We are all closely following the unfolding story of the Jesusita Fire. We are grateful that there have been no injuries or loss of homes due to this fire so far. At the same time, we understand that the fire has caused significant disruption for those who have been evacuated from their homes or who are in the evacuation warning area. I want you to know that our campus is here to assist you.

UC Santa Barbara staff, faculty members, or students who have been evacuated from their homes can call 893-3901 for assistance. This number will be staffed by university personnel 24 hours a day during this emergency. We can provide information on temporary housing, child care, counseling services, personnel issues, and other pertinent information. In addition, the Red Cross is providing shelter and other assistance for the community. Information on their evacuation center is available at 687-1331.

Staff members impacted by the fire should consult their department managers about their circumstances and needs. Information about leave time, compensation, and related questions is also available by contacting Cynthia Cronk, Director of Human Resources, at 893-8137, or Leslie Sanchez, Employee & Labor Relations Manager, at 893-4482.

For any of our students needing assistance, please contact Candace Stevenson, Assistant to the Dean of Students, at 893-4521.

Our UCSB home page (www.ucsb.edu) has a link to the Santa Barbara County’s website with the most up-to-date information on the Jesusita Fire; the County’s page can also be accessed directly at http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/dept0.aspx.

On behalf of our campus, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the firefighters as well as to all of our government officials and other local leaders who are working around the clock to keep our community safe. Our campus is in contact with the County Emergency Operations Center and we have offered our assistance. We are hopeful that the firefighters will continue to make good progress today against the fire, but we remain alert and watchful.

Our campus continually reassesses our emergency preparedness, and we have done so again in response both to this fire and to the recent H1N1 flu outbreak. Our top priority is the safety of our campus community, and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep you informed and ensure that we are ready to take appropriate action. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me at henry.yang@chancellor.ucsb.edu if you have questions or if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Henry T. Yang
Chancellor