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March 24, 2020
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Dear UAF alumni,
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Our thoughts are with you and all who are affected by COVID-19. We hope you are staying safe and healthy through this period of caution. We appreciate you and value your role as alumni of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. You are an important part of our community, and we want you to have the latest information about how this pandemic is affecting UAF.
To help you stay informed, the University of Alaska has created a comprehensive website with updated information about the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, all university classes have moved to online and remote-only instruction as of March 23. In addition, the UAF leadership team is working with researchers on a continuity plan to determine how to go forward with the upcoming field season. This affects not only our campus community but also visiting researchers and partners from around the globe.
In accordance with CDC policy to discontinue events, meetings or gatherings with more than 10 people, UAF’s commencement ceremony on May 2 and all related events have been canceled. We are developing alternative ways to celebrate our newest alumni and will be in touch about those soon.
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You may know a student who will complete their studies online over the next few weeks. If you can, please reach out and offer your support. We want them to know #NanookNation has their back! You can post a photo of yourself wearing #BlueandGold on Fridays. Or send us a pic of your family wearing their favorite UAF gear.
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Other ways to help
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The UAF Student Support Fund was started by the UAF Alumni Association through a gift from the late James Pruitt `73. It is designed to help students facing unexpected costs and short-term emergencies. Students are at greater risk of dropping out when faced with a crisis.
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We’re also collecting short stories from across the globe about how our alumni and friends are coping with the coronavirus.
Please answer a few short questions and tell us your story. We would like to include it in our social media feeds to help keep us all connected. We may also use it for a compilation in the next e-Aurora, due out in April. NO longer accepting stories, thank you for your participation.
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Students on campus before COVID-19 precautions went into effect. UAF photo by JR Ancheta
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Now more than ever, our students are requesting help due to housing displacement, the loss of jobs, food insecurity and technology needs. If you are thinking of how best to support UAF students, please consider giving to the Student Support Fund. You can do so by clicking on this link and choosing "UAF Student Support" in the dropdown menu.
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The UAF Wood Center food pantry is also providing food bags to students displaced by the COVID-19 response. They are looking for donations of canned fruit, soups, veggies, instant potatoes, oatmeal and high-protein items. You can drop off donations at the Wood Center front desk in the large red tote. You can also give online at this same link by choosing "UAF Food Pantry" in the dropdown menu.
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No matter how you choose to stay connected, we appreciate you. Please reach out to us in the alumni office with any questions. While the alumni lounge and office are closed, our team is working from home to help you stay connected to #NanookNation. You can send an email to uaf-alumni@alaska.edu and we will be in touch.
Wishing you and yours all the best,
Theresa Bakker
UAF alumni relations director
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Questions or comments? Please contact us at:
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UAF Alumni Association
201 Constitution Hall
P.O. Box 750126
Fairbanks, AK 99775-0126
email: uaf-alumni@alaska.edu
Phone: (907) 474-7081
Fax: (907) 474-6712
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