UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman, born and raised in the Philippines, was joined by students, faculty, staff, the general public, along with Philippines Consul General Ariel Penaranda via Skype, for the "Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: Environmental and Disaster Management Lessons" teach-in
UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman, born and raised in the Philippines, was joined by students, faculty, staff, the general public, along with Philippines Consul General Ariel Penaranda via Skype, for the "Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: Environmental and Disaster Management Lessons" teach-in, held today in UMass Dartmouth's Main Auditorium. The goal of the teach-in was to learn and understand the history and geography of the Philippines and the susceptibility of the islands to typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
"I want to thank Consul General Penaranda, our moderator and speakers, and members of our community who attended today's teach-in to recognize the tremendous challenges facing the people of the Philippines," said Chancellor Grossman. "We must stay steadfast in our support for those who lost loved ones and those who remain displaced with their homes destroyed as a consequence of this natural catastrophe."
Michael Goodman, Associate Professor and Chair of UMass Dartmouth's Department of Public Policy, served as moderator of the teach-in, with speakers on the Philippines and Typhoon Haiyan including Chancellor Grossman, Consul General Penaranda, Student Government Association Senator and Philippine-American student Remy Espinola Horton, UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology Dean Steve Lohrenz, UMass Dartmouth Charlton College of Business Professor Toby Stapleton, and UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing Professor Maria Vasquez.
To view the teach-in in its entirety, go to http://www.ezstream.com/play/index.cfm?id=401784327D&ptype;=sl/
The death toll has climbed close to 4,000; about 41 provinces are affected and 600,000 people are displaced with their homes destroyed. Chancellor Grossman has encouraged UMass Dartmouth faculty, students, and staff to channel support through the Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services and other established relief agencies. Some Filipino staff and students at UMass Dartmouth have initiated a collection drive for clothes and toiletries. Additionally, a group of students through UMass Dartmouth's Habitat for Humanity and Rotaract Clubs have announced that they are partnering on a campaign to raise $1,000 that will support a complete ShelterBox for Philippine Typhoon Haiyan relief.