USC for Japan recognized by USC President C.L. Max Nikias

Not only do APOC students care about the world, but they are poised to respond in meaningful and effective ways. Last month, within 24 hours of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Evan Jones and Charles Rubinoff (both 2011 current students) created and launched USC for Japan. This site provides information, as well as donation options, for people who care about the natural disaster in Japan. USCforJapan was USC’s first response to the tragedy, and it continues to be a key source of information and it was lauded by USC President Max Nikias in this letter to friends of USC. Kudos to Evan and Charles for their selfless efforts and for making a difference.

Letter From USC President About Japan

March 17, 2011 11:37 AM

Dear Friends of USC,

The USC community wishes to express its deep concern and sympathy for those affected by the tragic events in Japan. We continue to follow the developments very closely and stand ready to support our students, faculty and staff.

USC has a large network of alumni in Japan, and we have welcomed Japanese students to our campuses since the university’s founding in 1880.

Our thoughts - and our hearts - remain with those individuals in harm’s way.

Sincerely,

C. L. Max Nikias

 The USC Community Reaches Out to Those Affected in Japan

The USC Office of Religious Life is accepting donations on behalf of the Red Cross or Oxfam International.

USC Students for Japan (USC for Japan) is providing information on the relief effort and suggestions on how to donate.

The Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Overseas Studies at USC College have been in constant contact with students affected by the tragedy.

“Multiple USC entities have been very busy the past several days reaching out to international students from Japan, as well as USC students on study abroad programs in Japan. These efforts will continue for as long as necessary,” said Tony Tambascia, associate dean in Student Affairs and executive director of the Office of International Services.

USC students on study abroad programs in Japan are accounted for and in e-mail contact with the USC Office of Overseas Studies.

For some of the study abroad students, their remaining spring programs already have been canceled by the host institution in Japan. For others, their universities currently are on break and are assessing plans about the upcoming term.

USC is in the process of assisting study abroad students with arrangements for leaving Japan as soon as possible or for withdrawing from classes scheduled to start in the near future, if the students choose to do so.

A total of 17 USC students were registered for Japan programs during the spring semester.

For students currently at USC who have been personally affected by the disaster, “we will help students make a connection with student counseling services and other campus resources, if appropriate,” Tambascia said.

“The USC Office of International Services will continue to reach out to the community of international students from Japan in the coming weeks since we expect that stress and anxiety could be an issue for some time,” he added.

USC offers several resources available for students, faculty and staff, including counseling and relief efforts.

Some counseling services from Student Affairs include Trojans Care for Trojans, Students Support and Advocacy and the Crisis Response Team.

Organizations assisting in disaster relief include Red Cross, OxFam and Doctors Without Borders.

For USC disaster prevention resources, visit
http://emergencyprep.usc.edu/emergency/resources.html