PAU Student Emergency Fund
Dear members of the PAU community:
I hope that you and your loved ones remain healthy as we navigate this unprecedented time. Palo Alto University (PAU) remains fully open and operational. Like many universities, we have shifted classes and all but essential business operations online. I am proud of and grateful to our wonderful community of faculty and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure seamless continuity in educating our students. I am pleased to say that we were ahead of the curve in our response. The welfare of our students remains foremost in our minds. While their education continues, this extraordinary disruption has created an unexpected financial burden on some of our most vulnerable students. We are asking for your financial assistance. Your gift provides relief to students struggling with basic needs such as food and medication; secure housing; unexpected transportation costs; and the effects of sudden unemployment. Can our students count on you during this difficult time? "Many of PAU’s students are feeling anxious and vulnerable during this precarious time. PAU is committed to student success. The Student Emergency Fund and the support of our community will provide students with critical needs and reduce some of the stress and uncertainty they are facing. We could really use your help.” -Thom Shepard, Dean of Students PAU is launching this new permanent Student Emergency Fund that focuses on supporting their educational and personal needs during these uncertain times. All new contributions to the fund this year will go toward those who are experiencing hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The fund will continue into the future as a safety net to support students. 100% of your gift will provide critical relief to our students who need it most at this moment. Generous members of the executive committee of PAU’s Board of Trustees will match the first $5,000 raised for PAU’s new Student Emergency Fund. Your gift today will make an even greater difference in the lives of PAU students. Thank you for being such an important part of PAU’s community. We know that many of you are facing your own disruptions. As we collectively focus on taking care of each other, both personally and professionally, please consider making a gift of any size to help bridge the gap for students in need. We are truly grateful for your support. To make a gift, please go to our donation page (please choose "Student Emergency Fund" the last selection on the dropdown menu) or mail to: PAU Advancement, 1791 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Farrah, Director of Development, at afarrah@paloaltou.edu. We remain a resilient community of motivated students and caring faculty, staff, and alumni. We wish you and your loved ones continued health. We are all in this together. Sincerely, Maureen O’Connor President, Palo Alto University PPS: Share this message on Facebook or Twitter.