Support and flexibility provided to UH Hilo students, faculty, and staff impacted by recent storms
Students facing challenges following the storms are encouraged to communicate directly with their instructors and, if needed, to contact the Office of Student Affairs for additional support and coordination.
By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.
Support services at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo are in full swing following the Kona-low storms that hit the state over spring break.
Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin says that as the state continues to respond to unprecedented flooding across multiple islands, support services are available for those in the university ʻohana — including student, faculty, and staff — who have been impacted.
“For students who are unable to return to campus following spring break due to flooding, road closures, displacement, or family needs, please know that we see you and we are here to support you,” says Chancellor Irwin in a message shared with the university community on March 22.
“Faculty and staff are asked to extend flexibility to these students regarding attendance, assignment deadlines, and participation requirements as circumstances warrant,” she says.
Students facing challenges following the storms are encouraged to communicate directly with their instructors and, if needed, to contact the Office of Student Affairs for additional support and coordination.
Support services include The Care Team, always available during difficult times. Those affected by flooding who would like to connect with a member of the CARE Team are asked to complete the Campus Reporting Form.
The CARE Team can also help with connecting to resources for basic needs insecurity, academic support, or stress. Chancellor points out the services are available “for those dealing with the direct impacts of the storms, supporting ʻohana from a distance, or simply feeling the weight of what our communities are going through.”
For students who do return to campus, Counseling Services are available to those who need it.
“You do not have to navigate this alone,” says Chancellor Irwin in her message. “Our islands are resilient, and so is this community. We will get through this together.”
Story by Susan Enright, public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
