advancement, giving, hardship, covid
December 17, 2020
Across the country and around the world, communities grapple with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The same is true on OU’s campus. Every member of the OU community has seen their lives disrupted through either online classes, remote work, new demands for taking care of family members, or economic repercussions of the pandemic that reverberate throughout the entire region.
During the last 10 months, Oakland University has come together to address and overcome the demands of this crisis. But it hasn’t been easy. To help assist students, faculty and staff who are struggling financially, Oakland University offers 15 programs that have received donations to help provide relief to those experiencing financial strains within the OU community. To date, more than 1,600 donors have contributed over $400,000 to funds designed to assist others with food, housing, school expenses, and more.
As we close out the year, an anonymous Oakland University trustee has donated $75,000 to three COVID-19 relief funds to help OU students, faculty and staff who are in need. These funds include:
- OU Student Emergency Relief Fund – which provides immediate support to help students experiencing unexpected hardships.
- Future Heroes Scholarship Fund – to empower OU students to continue their studies and enter the workforce prepared to take on today's challenges.
- OU Employee Hardship Fund – to assist faculty and staff members whose families have been impacted by COVID either through unexpected childcare/eldercare costs, or loss of revenue within a household.
According to Vice President for University Advancement Mike Westfall, this support coming from the highest level of Oakland University is indicative of the dedication across campus to pull together. “All of us have been through massive changes this year,” Westfall said. “But the determination to help and support each other has not waivered. This gift is coming at a crucial time as we head into the holidays. It will help OU community members to not only survive, but hopefully thrive, during what should be the last months of this crisis.”
Students who would like to apply for assistance should contact the Dean of Students for information. Faculty and staff can apply for assistance online.
For those who are able, additional donations to these funds will help support even more students, faculty and staff. Donations can be made online.
“Gestures of this magnitude reflects the culture we have at OU,” Westfall added. “I know this gift will bring in more support because that’s what Oakland is about.”
“Someday, we will all look back at this crisis and, I think, be amazed at how we managed this — in the classroom, in our offices, with our families, and as an institution. We’re a determined group. Every day, I’m so proud to be a part of the Golden Grizzlies family.”
For more information about the Golden Grizzlies Relief Funds, please contact OU’s Director of Annual Giving, Kelly Brault.