Announcements and emails

Index of announcements and emails about the University's response to the earthquake and tsunami.

Email to all staff from Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis, 11 January 2005

In my first week at the University of Melbourne , I have the task of announcing a package of assistance from the University for communities affected in the devastating tsunami which struck east and south-east Asia on 26 December 2004 .

In these disastrous circumstances, the University community, reflecting the entire Australian community, has been profoundly moved by the unprecedented damage caused to many communities in the Asian region.

The University has a strong commitment to regional engagement and a close relationship with Asia through institutional partnerships, students and staff exchanges, development programs and a strong international student program.

Hence the University must respond generously to the plight of these communities and we have given careful thought to how we can best do this - both at this time and in the longer term.

I am pleased to be able to announce that the key elements of the University's assistance package are:

• An immediate cash donation of A$250,000 to the major aid agencies to assist with the humanitarian relief effort in Indonesia , Thailand , Sri Lanka , India and the Maldives.

• Arrangements are being made for staff to make donations through salary deductions to Tsunami relief appeals. All such funds will be donated to aid agencies working in tsunami–affected countries.

• Currently-enrolled students living in areas affected by the tsunami are being contacted to find out whether any assistance is necessary either immediately or to enable them to complete their studies. This assistance will vary depending on individual student circumstances but may include: counselling, more flexible course enrolment and leave of absence arrangements; extended loan facilities; accommodation support; direct financial support and fee bursaries.

• Collaboration with the Melbourne University Overseas Student Service and undergraduate and postgraduate student representatives and academic staff from tsunami-affected countries on possible activities that the University may wish to undertake early in the academic year to remember those who have lost their lives or had their lives overturned by the tsunami. Any funds received from such activities would be added to the Tsunami Appeal Fund.

• Flexible employment and course enrolment procedures will be implemented so that staff or students wishing to assist with the relief effort or the subsequent rebuilding phase may do so without disadvantage to their employment or enrolment arrangements.

In the longer-term, the University will collaborate with universities and other institutions in tsunami-affected countries with which Melbourne has established links in providing assistance in rebuilding universities, schools, hospitals and other education providers devastated by the tsunami.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Professor Peter McPhee will set up a taskforce of staff and students to advise on ways in which the University might assist with the longer term rebuilding phase. This longer-term engagement could involve substantial University resources - both staff and equipment – over a number of years but the University is unswervingly committed.

As soon as the arrangements to make donations through salary deductions to tsunami relief appeals are in place, staff will be notified. In the meantime, should you to make donations to support the relief and recovery effort after the tsunami, the web addresses of key aid agencies have been posted on the University website at http://www.hr.unimelb.edu.au/tsunami-relief

Professor Glyn Davis AC
Vice-Chancellor
11 January 2005