Dear MSVU students, faculty and staff,

I’m writing further to the wildfires and related evacuation orders affecting areas of Nova Scotia, especially the area of Upper Tantallon/Hammonds Plains as a location where some of the members of our university community live.

I want you to know that MSVU is here to help in any way we can.

If you need a place to stay or any other emergency support, please be in touch:

– Students can contact ose@msvu.ca;
– Faculty and staff can contact human.resources@msvu.ca.

Students can also connect with their professors, and faculty/staff can connect with their chairs or supervisors.

A reminder that there are also free counselling supports available for students and faculty/staff as follows:

– Students: MSVU Counselling Servicescounselling@msvu.ca, (902) 457-6567; Good2Talk NS Helpline for Postsecondary Students: 1-833-292-3698
– Faculty and staff: Employee & Family Assistance Program (or EFAP) via Morneau Shepell (free, confidential counselling services) – visit the EFAP website or call 1-800-387-4765.
– ALL: Our EFAP provider has set-up a crisis line available to ALL those affected by the wildfires in NS (you don’t need to be affiliated with MSVU or any organization in particular). The LifeWorks Community Crisis Support Line is open 24/7 and can be reached at 1-844-751-2133.

I know I speak for the entire MSVU community when I say that our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible situation.

Please take care,

Joël

Dr. Joël Dickinson
President and Vice-Chancellor

Mount Saint Vincent University