Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Chad Sniffen" <>]

From: Micky Sharma 
[]
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 11:16 PM
To: Assoc of Univ & Coll Couns Ctr Directors
Subject: [aucccd-l] UAH- NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Colleagues,
 
Jonathan Perry and I have been at University of Alabama, Huntsville since
yesterday providing support and guidance to this community as they continue
to heal from the recent tragedy.
The UAH campus is in significant need of more volunteers.  To date, Lee
Keyes has been able to secure approximately 25 volunteers to join this
campus and aid as classes resume on Monday.  After the shooting tragedy at
NIU we had 509 volunteers join us, for which I am eternally grateful.  It is
very disheartening for both Jonathan and I to see the lack of response on
the part of volunteers when we are at a campus that is in such dire need of
help.
 
As you are aware, 3 faculty members were killed and 2 faculty and one staff
member were injured.  The Biology department has lost 5 of its 13 faculty
members to continue teaching for the remainder of the academic year.  This
institution is, in essence, a technical school and the majority of the
students have taken classes in the Biology department.  The Shelby Center,
where the shooting occurred, has 140 rooms and will be open on Monday.  The
location of the shooing will remain closed, but classes and labs will resume
in the building.  Having mental health support as students, faculty and
staff re-enter this building is essential.
 
The goal is to have a mental health clinician in each class housed in the
Shelby Center and each class taught by a Bio faculty member who is no longer
teaching.  The ideal would be to have between 180-200 volunteers. 
Additionally, volunteers will be placed in other academic buildings,
floating on campus and in specific departments.  
 
Multiple student groups have been directly impacted by this tragedy.  I have
met with the Indian Student Organization who is grieving over the death of
Dr. Gopi Podila.  Dr. Adriel Johnson and Dr. Maria Ragland Davis were far
and away the most beloved African American Faculty on campus.  The African
American Student population continues to be struggling over the loss of
these two professors.  
 
It is unclear to Jonathan and I why the response to assist UAH has been so
low.  However, at this time we are more concerned about increasing the
number of volunteers on this campus.  If you, your staff, or other mental
health colleagues are available to assist please email Lee Keyes
at: 
 
Please forward this request to other mental health professionals you know,
so that they may also have the opportunity to volunteer as well.  We are
certain that there are many more potential volunteers across Alabama and in
neighboring states.  
 
UAH would like volunteers to arrive on Sunday at 2 pm for an orientation
process, but would be happy to receive any assistance that you can provide. 
UAH plans to provide lodging and food for volunteers, travel expenses will
be on your own.  
 
Finally, on a very personal note I can tell you that it would not have been
possible for NIU and for me personally to have survived our tragedy without
your assistance and volunteers.  UAH needs your help.  Please do what you
can to be supportive.  
 
Respectfully,
 
Micky and Jonathan
 
 
 
 
Micky M. Sharma, Psy.D.
Executive Director
Counseling and Student Development Center
Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Northern Illinois University
815-753-1209
815-753-9110 fax
 
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