Students, Faculty and Staff,

It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you this weekend to send my deepest condolences and sympathies to those affected by Friday’s storms.

The devastation is unimaginable, and I know for a fact that some students have been personally impacted and have already asked University officials how to proceed. They want to know where they can go for support, and how they are to deal with this added anxiety when finals are just days away. Of course, it is completely understandable to be going through a range of emotions at this time, from fear to confusion to exhaustion.

That is why I felt we needed to communicate at this moment. All of us in the College of Health Sciences want to send comfort to those students (as well as the faculty and staff) who are from the affected areas, but we also want you to know that we are here for you. Your success is of the utmost importance. Here are some ways you can find help from the University:

• For student-related issues, such as counseling and basic needs support, our Counseling Center (www.uky.edu/counselingcenter) is available to see you immediately. After hours and weekend phone consultation is available by dialing 859-257-8701 and pressing ‘1’ at the prompt.
• Additionally, students can engage with the Counseling Center during normal business hours by calling 859-257-8701 or walking in between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The Counseling Center’s welcome desk is located at 104 Mandrell  Hall, directly across Limestone Street from the UK Rosenberg College of Law.
• During the semester, students can also speak with a Counseling Center clinician through the Let’s Talk program that is offered via Zoom this semester. More information about the program and hours be found at www.uky.edu/counselingcenter/lets-talk.
• If you have questions about any other resources or would like to request additional assistance, please do not hesitate to call the Center for Support and Intervention at 859-257-3755.
• For more general inquiries, calls can be directed to UK Health Corps at 859-218-SAFE.
• For other issues — such as reports of facility damage — please email crisisresponse@uky.edu. Risk Management is working to compile any facility reports and assess damage to provide appropriate support.
• If you have additional questions or ideas about how we can support our CHS family over the coming hours and days, please reach out to me or one of your supervisors or professors.  

We will be following up with additional communications as we have more information about these tragic events, as well as our College’s response to them, in support of all of you.

In so many instances, I have heard our alumni and current students describe our environment as that of a family. Well, in times like these, we must reach out to those we care for most.

Please continue to stay safe,

Scott