infonews.co.nz
INDEX
EARTHQUAKES

Response to the Canterbury earthquake

Wednesday 23 February 2011, 12:38PM

By Massey University

190 views

CHRISTCHURCH

See our New Zealand Earthquakes page for ongoing updates - infonews.co.nz

Massey University has provided information to all staff and students about the latest Canterbury earthquake to assist those affected and those who have family and friends affected.

The University is offering its expertise in the form of student support and communications staff to Canterbury and Lincoln Universities should they require them over the coming days and weeks. It is also offering the expertise and practical skills of its academic staff, who specialise in disaster response, psychology, business, economics, animal welfare, veterinary science, construction and other disciplines.

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey sent a message to all staff. “I know that many of you will have been affected by this event and for those of you with loved ones, family and friends in Christchurch our thoughts are with you. Our thoughts are also with our friends and colleagues at Canterbury and Lincoln Universities, and their students. I have contacted the vice-chancellors at both universities and offered our help in any way that we can. Recovering from this event will take time, and we will continue to provide whatever support we can over the weeks and months to come.”

Massey has extramural students based in Canterbury and internal students from Canterbury, some of whom have recently arrived on the Albany, Manawatu and Wellington campuses for semester one, which commences next week.

Yesterday afternoon an email message was sent directly to all students advising them of the availability of support services on each campus and from the University. It acknowledged that for many, whether directly affected or supporting others who were, that studies may no longer be a priority.

“If you are on or near a campus, we have set up support spaces where you can freely access telephones and internet for those without access to telecommunication devices. There will be members of staff to talk to and assist you in any way. We will update the situation and continuing support that will be made available over the coming days.

“A variety of additional resources are available on the Student Counselling Service website http://crow.massey.ac.nz.” Email, Skype or telephone support and advice is available as well as face-to-face counselling on any campus.

“One of the issues you may face is difficulty in meeting your assignment deadlines or other commitments. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your course co-ordinator as soon as possible. The Counselling Service and the Extramural Students' Society can also offer a variety of suggestions, advocacy and assistance if needed.”

All staff members were also sent emails advising them of the content of the message to students and the contact details for support services. Staff members were advised that the three campus registrars have set up a location and support services on each campus for affected staff, students and visitors.

“A number of families and individuals with Canterbury connections on our campuses are being assisted and supported by campus services (eg visitors to Manawatu for the Let’s Get Going events). Much more of this type of activity is expected to occur over the next few days. Contact is being made directly with individual affected students where these are identified.

“A scheduled outreach service for distance students in Canterbury this weekend has been postponed and students have been notified of the change. An offer has been extended to Canterbury University to make Massey counselling staff available to assist the staff there and at Lincoln University.

A planning meeting will be held this afternoon to arrange the next steps for Massey’s affected students in the Canterbury region, and for staff and students elsewhere who are impacted.

Because the Christchurch Blood Donor Centre will be closed until further notice, Massey staff have also been invited to sign up to be contacted when and if donations are needed on (0800-448-325) or by emailing their name, address and contact details to donors.national@nzblood.co.nz

Counselling and support services
If you are on or near a Campus, we have set up support spaces where you can freely access telephones and internet for those without access to telecommunication devices. There will be members of staff to talk to and assist you in any way. The location of these support spaces are as follows:

Albany: The Round Room, Atrium Building, East Precinct (021 624 551)

Manawatu: International Community Centre (YFC Building), adjacent to the new Halls of Residence

Wellington: Centre for Teaching and Learning, Block 5, Level A (ext 62448)