May 9, 2003May 9, 2003
Dear Colleagues:
The past several days have been trying for members of the UO/E family, both professionally and personally. Many of you have experienced personal loss as a result of this week’s storms, and I want you to know that you remain uppermost in our thoughts. I want to thank all of the faculty, staff and council members for their efforts in responding to the devastation that has occurred throughout the state. There are countless examples of regional faculty and staff taking both lead and support roles in partnership with others in response to the storm’s destruction. These efforts are essential in the wake of the storm, and they will be especially important in the days and weeks to come. I want to recognize Mary Leuci, community development program leader; Eric Evans, community emergency management specialist; Dave Baker, assistant dean for agriculture and natural resources extension; and Eileen Yager, extension communications officer, for their leadership in organizing and supporting UO/E’s response systems, and I especially want to recognize the regional response teams, which have performed so admirably.
I am authorizing additional funding in response to the top priority needs being identified by regional directors and faculty working in the affected areas, to potentially include expanded support for cell phone service, travel, printing and related communication needs, access to counseling for faculty and staff affected by the loss, and back-up support for non-emergency-related programming while faculty and staff work with individuals, businesses and communities in the aftermath of the storms.
Across the state, University Outreach and Extension is partnering with emergency organizations and agencies. Our role will continue to be vital in the weeks and months to come and well after the special emergency response teams have departed. As we respond to the impacted areas, we must put first things first. For those of us in unaffected areas and on the campuses, we must continue providing support for urgent and recurring needs for back-up programming support. I want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to facilitate this important work.
Finally, I want to remind those of you responding on the front lines to take care of yourselves and your loved ones. The tireless, round-the-clock efforts by so many UO/E faculty and staff are an enormous source of pride for everyone connected with University Outreach and Extension and the University of Missouri System. I salute each one of you for your commitment, dedication and hard work at this difficult time.
With all best regards,
Ron Turner
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Eileen Yager,
yagere@umsystem.edu |
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