Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, sent the following message on Nov. 8.

Dear faculty and course instructors,

As you know, earlier today, 230 of our students were displaced by a fire at Olympia Place. Our colleagues in the Dean of Students Office have been coordinating closely with emergency response agencies, including the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross to provide support.  

The affected students, many of whom have lost their belongings, including laptops and course material, will require academic accommodations as they recover from the fire. I ask that you provide these accommodations and work with your students in the coming days to give them the space, support, and time they need.  

I will share a list of affected students with the deans of each college. As you attend to their academic needs, know that our team in Student Affairs and Campus Life has established an on-campus resource center and is providing personalized support for their other needs.  

Please join me in thanking these team members, along with all first responders (many of whom are still on site addressing the fire), for the care they provide our community.