UAlbany Community Response Lifts Students in Crisis

The Student Emergency Fund is helping students who have lost jobs or need laptops during this crisis.

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 27, 2020) – In less than a week, an extraordinary outpouring of support for UAlbany's Student Emergency Fund has raised nearly $40,000 to help students experiencing unexpected and extreme need during the COVID-19 crisis.

Nearly 90 donations from alumni, donors, faculty, staff and friends of the University are providing immediate assistance on a range of essential issues, from providing basic needs such as food and utilities support to helping stranded students reunite with their families and ensuring students have the technologies to continue their studies.

"I recently found myself with no laptop after a series of unfortunate events, during the absolute worst time possible," said John, an undergraduate student who recently applied for help and expressed his gratitude in an email to the school. "I know this is something you didn’t have to help me with, but the fact that you did means the absolute world to me."

"Students are going through so much uncertainty right now," said Sally D'Alessandro, assistant dean of students and administrator of the UAlbany Student Emergency Fund. "The availability of an emergency fund that provides them with a quick response to their educational and personal crises affords them much needed stability and allows them to continue their academic journey. We know this because our students are telling us as much."

To date, more than 50 applications for assistance have been received from students, and university officials expect the need will only grow as the COVID-19 crisis continues. UAlbany faculty and staff members are answering the call for help.

The Purple Pantry has been delivering food, in pick-up bags, for students in need still on campus or in the area. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

"I feel very fortunate to have been a member of the UAlbany community for many years, both as a student and a faculty member,” said Ingrid Fisher, associate professor in the School of Business. "It has been my home. I am happy to help students in need. I, myself, came from very modest means. I hope the money relieves some stress from students who receive its benefits."

The Student Emergency Fund, begun in 2018 in partnership with the Heckscher Foundation for Children, the Gerstner Family Foundation and the SUNY Impact Foundation, significantly expanded UAlbany's ability to respond to students' extreme needs. Additional donations from the community can be made on its webpage and the support greatly increases the number of students who can be helped. Donations also allow the University to expand its UAlbany Cares initiative, which includes the Purple Pantry — a free, on-campus storehouse of non-perishable food and toiletries, and Purple Threads — a clothing closet of professional attire available to students.

“As Great Danes, we pitch in, we persevere, and we will get through this together,” said President Havidán Rodríguez. “This amazing outpouring of support is a testament to the strength and generosity of our UAlbany family, and will have an immediate impact on the health and well-being of our most vulnerable students.”

The COVID-19 crisis could impact the financial status of many families, and even prevent students from resuming their education in the fall. UAlbany is committed to helping its students through its Student Scholarship Fund, providing vital unrestricted scholarship support through the Office of Financial Aid. Scholarships can be awarded to students based on need, merit or when financial emergencies arise. Contributions to UAlbany's Scholarship Support Fund can be made here.

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