New fund to help students cope with crisis situations

When an out-of-state UConn student learned that his parent unexpectedly died, he was faced not only with coping with his grief but also with the financial challenge of trying to fund an unplanned trip home.

A new program started by the Division of Student Affairs will help students cope with the unexpected when they are confronted with a personal or financial crisis such as this.

The program, the Students First Fund, will enable the University to reach out to students in need, using private contributions made by members of the UConn community.

“The fund is necessary because we are prohibited from using state funds to personally benefit an individual student,” said Denielle Burl, director of risk management in the Division of Student Affairs. “This fund will allow us to reach out to students through the donation of funds or gift certificates when they need it the most.”

The fund, administered by the UConn Foundation, will permit Student Affairs to contribute to students who have had apartment fires, car accidents, or other crises, and need transportation, books, clothing, or even food.

So far, the fund has collected more than $12,000 in donations.

“University employees, who often are the first to hear about or witness these circumstances, can contribute through cash, credit card, or payroll deduction,” Burl says.