A Message from the Chair Dear LARP Faculty, Students, Alumni, and Friends,
I write to you today with a heavy heart following the devastating fire at Olympia Place on Friday, November 7th. This tragic event displaced more than 200 UMass Amherst students, including four students from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, leaving them in urgent need of care and support.
During this difficult time, I am grateful for the strength of our community. Many of you have reached out to share resources and extend a helping hand. If you are looking for ways to provide immediate assistance to UMass students affected by the Olympia Place Fire, I strongly encourage you to give to the Student Care and Emergency Response Fund (SCERF) . Since the fire, the university has temporarily paused the standard SCERF grant process, so that 100% of donations will go directly to assist victims of the fire.
Donating to SCERF is one of the most effective ways you can help our students get the critical support they need. Additionally, the Department has started a campaign to help defray academic expenses unique to LARP students, such as specialized software and studio supplies. You can donate here any time until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 24th. Please select "Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning" for the Fund Designation, and enter “Olympia Place Fire LARP Student Fund” in the Special Gift Instructions or Comments box under the Final Steps section. You are also welcome to donate via cash or check at the John W. Olver Design Building Main Office (Room 210), located at 551 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003.
Thank you so much for your generosity and support. Every contribution – no matter the amount – will make an immediate difference for our students who have lost so much. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the contact information provided below.
Sincerely,
Henry Renski [email protected] Chair, Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning |