Campus Reacts to Devastation in Southern California

Various organizations on campus are working on ideas to raise money and awareness in an effort to help the friends and families of Sonoma State students impacted by the southern California wildfires. Many students living on campus are from the regions hit by the devastating fires.

The Residential Students Association and Residential Life have decided to sponsor a change drive. Every student room has been given a cup with a note from their CSA letting them know that they are collecting "spare change" as a donation. RSA is also offering a prize to the room that raises the most money. Residential Life leaders are also speaking with their colleagues at campuses affected by the fires to see how they can be of help. In the Sauvignon Residential Community, various co-ops are developing plans to support those who have been evacuated and lost their homes.

The Kappa Delta Zeta sorority is planning some activity to assist the victims and will have definite details on Monday. The men of Phi Delta Theta hosted a fundraiser recently and will donate a portion of the funds raised to relief efforts.

ABOVE, Officers of the Residential Students Association are coordinating a change drive to assist wildfire victims. From left to right are Nathaniel Garrod (program director), Amanda Sperling (secretary), Lara Burch, (President), and Community Service Advisor Laura Matsumoto. The cups have been distributed to all residential suites.

Support Students by Directing Them to Counseling

Counseling and Psychological Services is distributing the following guidelines for those working with students who may be impacted by the devastation of the wildfires in Southern California. Faculty and staff are encouraged to suggest students visit the Center for counseling and support, if needed.

Contact CAPS at 4-2153 any time between the hours of 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, to set up an appointment with a counselor. Drop-in hours are Monday-Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. as well as Fridays, noon-1 p.m.

How to Help Yourself and Others During a Tragedy

* Reduce the input.  High levels of anxiety made worse by watching TV, listening to the radio, and reading news can be lowered by limiting your exposure to the sights and sounds of the disaster.  Try watching television reports at the beginning of the hour when they summarize the news and do this only every few hours.

* Focus on the positive.  Think about the courage and commitment of the responders - firefighters, police, state officials, Red Cross and other voluntary agency staff, and thousands of spontaneous volunteers.  The outpouring of support for those directly impacted has been tremendous.

* Recognize your own feelings.  Knowing that some of the physical and emotional problems you might be experiencing are stress related helps to reduce their effect on you.  It also helps to know that this is a shared experience.

* Talk to others about your feelings.  Understand that many others may share these feelings about what you are experiencing.

* Accept help from others.  If you need help putting your feelings in perspective, talk to a mental health worker.   In this kind of situation your coping skills may be stretched.

* Deal with your anger and stress.  Anger may be a part of what you are feeling in response to this disaster.  Exercise or strenuous physical activity is one way to deal with anger, and is great for relieving stress.  Deep breathing or meditation can also defuse anger and release stress.

* Reach out.  Offer to listen to others who might need to talk.  If you feel so moved, offer to volunteer time, money or necessities to those who have lost homes.  Your local Red Cross chapter can offer suggestions about what is most needed.

* Do something you enjoy and stay connected.  Whenever possible, take a few minutes to enjoy the people and nature around you.