Interim Chancellor Heather Norris shares a message of support for students, faculty and staff as fall 2024 classes resume following Hurricane Helene.

Video Transcript

Good morning.

Today, we’re returning to classes for the first day since Hurricane Helene hit, creating devastation and destruction across Western North Carolina.

That was 19 days ago. In that time we’ve seen remarkable acts of heroism, kindness and humanity from our students, faculty and staff. Please know I am so very grateful to each of you for these acts. As I have talked with folks on campus, I have heard many, many stories, and there are so many more I don’t know about. You all make me so proud to be a Mountaineer.

It’s important that you know, as you return to classes, that we don’t expect to “make up” the instructional hours you have lost. We also don’t expect that everyone will be able to return to the classroom and pick up as if nothing happened.

Helene affected all of us— in different ways. And so, we will adjust. Our incredible team in Academic Affairs has provided guidance to faculty to help with these adjustments, which will be different depending on each person’s circumstances. Know that we are here to help you, and we are dedicated to your academic success.

Please be sure you reach out if you need help.

If your personal circumstances will prevent you from returning to classes in the same way you attended prior to Helene, reach out to your faculty or department chairs to request adjustments or advice. This is a process familiar to our faculty.

Disaster relief resources are available for those who need immediate support, whether that is:

• Bridge funding to help with recovery;
• Academic assistance and support;
• Housing assistance and support;
• Legal assistance for students;
• Financial Aid assistance;
• Counseling services; OR
• Other services you may need that are related to Hurricane Helene.

In the face of adversity, Mountaineers come together.  In response to Helene, we have come together as a community. We’ve shown remarkable grace, flexibility and resilience. Let’s continue in this spirit as we continue down the path to recovery.

I’ll be walking around campus today, and I look forward to seeing you and talking with you.

Thank you— again, for your acts, both large and small, to help our community come through this crisis and to begin building towards a future— our next 125 years— that will be stronger than ever.