Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris

Friday, October 18, 2024

When we began this week, we took a big step forward on our long and varied road to recovery. I commend our many students, who were unsure of what it would be like to return to the classroom and to campus, and our faculty and staff, who were uncertain of what needs would arise that they would be called on to meet and who, together, bravely took that important step forward.

At the end of the week, we have a few more certainties. We know our classes are up and running with the adjustments needed for student success. We know our students, faculty and staff are finding and reestablishing their vital connections with one another. And we know we are working to take care of each and every need as it arises. We also know our K–12 public schools will resume next week. We know we will return to normal operations next Friday and will begin holding larger events again that support the well-being and livelihoods of our community. We know our community, while still suffering, has made incredible strides toward recovery.

I’ve shared a lot of operational and tactical information with you this week, but the stories of our faculty, staff and students really show who we are as a community. When Hurricane Helene hit, we knew we needed to amass the many resources we offer for our students and employees and put them in one location. With many unable to get to work, we identified the critical resources people needed and reached out to see who was available to help set up and staff a central resource hub. Since Oct. 1, staff, faculty and students have been on site to help friends, peers and colleagues.

For some, this is not the work they do every day, but they knew there was a need, so they stepped up. One staff member shared a few stories from this perspective:

  • One person had lost their car, their food, and had some mild flooding in their apartment and had hand tabulated everything as close to the penny as they could. They were, in typical “mountain strong” fashion, only requesting what they absolutely needed and had tiered everything out in order of importance in case others needed more.
  • Another had calculated their missed wages to the penny based off of their prior two weeks of work, since the business they work at was still closed. I was also able to connect with them about our student employment opportunities so they can get back to work this week.
  • Yet another had lost their housing and had not checked the financial assistance box. They just wanted to see what off-campus housing was available and made the comment that other people “need the money more than I do.”
  • Another was just trying to process everything. They didn't even know where to start or what to ask for, but were so grateful to be back on campus and said they felt so taken care of.

To those who have helped our community members in crisis in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and those who have donated to our relief fund to make that bridge possible, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my leadership team, who, like many of our staff from the very beginning of the storm, set aside their personal lives and worked together from the Emergency Operations Center to ensure timely, coordinated emergency services and communications. Some had holes in their roofs and ceilings from downed trees, as well as mudslides and floodwaters that broke through their basements; some had no communication lines back to their families; and some traveled hours to get just a few miles to campus. Thank you to these selfless, servant leaders for their commitment to our community.

Now that we have moved from immediate crisis and response to recovery mode with normal operations forthcoming, we are returning the many resources we offer for our students and employees to their original locations.

  • We encourage students who need help to remember the Dean of Students Office is always a good place to begin if you need support and resources. Year-round, the Dean of Students team serves as a hub for resources and support for our students.

We know our community still has a long road to recovery and there are many who will need longer term support as they work to recover from tremendous loss. Our case managers will continue to connect members of our university community to all the services available. We must not, and will not, forget what was lost, but also, that we can be uplifted by what was gained.

I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve heard members of our university and greater community, even those who have faced significant losses, describe themselves as fortunate, blessed, lucky, better off than most. I believe this exemplifies who we are as a community — compassionate, resilient and mountain strong.

I’m proud to stand with you.


Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor