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There are four universities belonging to the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) located in the Valparaíso region: PUCV, USM, UV, and UPLA. However, many students from the same region are pursuing degrees at other CRUCH universities throughout Chile.
The universities' aid has focused on establishing collection centers with essential items; organizing volunteer work, making monetary donations; and compiling censuses of victims from the university communities. This note compiles information on the various collaboration alternatives that universities have put forward.
In response to the tragedy experienced by the people and families affected by the fires in the Valparaíso region, the campuses of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) have organized various initiatives that seek to collaborate with the measures provided by the Government authorities and with the affected communities of students, academics and staff.
“In these painful times for the country, CRUCH wishes to express its solidarity with all those affected by the fires in the Valparaíso region. From our communities, we offer our support to collaborate closely with the authorities so that we can overcome this terrible catastrophe,” stated the Council's Secretary General, Angélica Bosch.
Of the total number of CRUCH universities, four are located in the Valparaíso Region: the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUCV), the Federico Santa María Technical University (USM), the University of Valparaíso (UV), and the University of Playa Ancha of Educational Sciences (UPLA). However, many students from the same region pursue degrees at other CRUCH universities throughout Chile.
Student enrollment in CRUCH universities in the Valparaíso region reached 65,303 young people in 2023, practically 50% of the entire enrollment in higher education in the region, including universities, professional institutes and technical training centers.
The aid efforts of the universities have focused on establishing collection centers with essential items; organizing volunteer work, making monetary donations; and compiling censuses of victims from the university communities.
It's worth noting that the student federations of several universities, as well as the Confederation of Chilean Students (CONFECH), have played a very active role in organizing the aid. More information on Instagram. @confechofial
CRUCH Universities in Valparaíso
In recent days, the PUCV, USM, UV and UPLA communities have promoted specific actions aimed at those who are part of their respective university communities and need help.
The Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso He established an email address for the students (ube@pucv.cl), as well as a form to generate a cadastre (https://form.jotform.com/240327183989164Meanwhile, for academics, administrative and service staff, please email beneficios.personas@pucv.cl or call +56977070988 or +56978715469.
More information on IG: @pucv_cl
The Federico Santa María Technical University, through its Student Relations Office, also set up an emergency contact to provide support (info.pde@usm.cl).
Furthermore, its Viña del Mar campus has been made available to the Fire Department and the Investigative Police (PDI). The gymnasium is also being prepared as accommodation, and the university parking lot is being used to set up an operations center.
More information on IG: @usantamaria
On the other hand, the Student Federation Community of UTFSM set up a collection center to receive toiletries, water, granola bars, and non-perishable food items. They also organized a solidarity drive to purchase basic supplies for affected families in the USM community and for various collection centers in the region. Finally, we are launching a call for volunteers to distribute food baskets, snacks, and other aid to the various locations in need from the collection center located at the FEUTFSM.
All the information is on IG: @FEUTFSM 2023
Meanwhile, the University of Valparaíso, He called on members of his community to conduct a census of those affected by the fires.
Students can contact us via email at dae@uv.cl, on Instagram at @daeuvalpo, or by phone at +56 9 6849 6583
Officials and academics should communicate via email bienestardelpersonal@uv.cl.
More information on IG: @uvalpochile
Finally, the Playa Ancha University of Education Sciences They are organizing a volunteer program to assist regional authorities with debris removal, reconstruction, psychosocial support, artistic activities, and more. To volunteer, please contact them via email. voluntarios@upla.cl and send the following information: Full name; RUT (Chilean tax ID number); Unit or career to which you belong; type of help you wish to offer; pre-existing illnesses; and telephone number.
UPLA has also established a bank account and is conducting a census of officials, academics and students affected by the fire in Viña del Mar, Quilpué, Villa Alemana and surrounding areas.
More information on IG: @upla_comunica
Other CRUCH universities
Several universities belonging to the Council of Rectors have organized themselves to help the victims, establishing different mechanisms, which are mentioned below:
University of Chile
Collection center (until Sunday, February 11) at Casa FECH.
More details on IG: @fech_oficial
More information on IG: @uchile
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Register of victims: students write to comunidad@uc.cl; and administrative, professional and academic staff to Tamara Pérez (tperem@uc.cl) or Laura Cárdenas (lcardenasg@uc.cl)
“UC for Viña” campaign organized by @feuc2024, @consejeria_superioluc Y @pastoral_uc . They will have a collection center and will receive personal hygiene items, new underwear, water, and more.
More information on IG: @ucatolicaoficial
University of Concepcion
Registry of victims: undergraduate and graduate students write to bienestar@udec.cl
More information on IG: @udeconcepcion
University of Santiago
Register of victims: students write to vrae@usach.cl; and officials to bienestardelpersonal@usach.cl
In addition, USACH joined the UPLA solidarity campaign.
More information on IG: @usachoficial
Austral University of Chile
The UACH will support the recovery of the Viña del Mar Botanical Garden (see in #DiarioAustraldeLosRios).
Registry of victims: affected students can respond to the form available in the IG profile link.
More information on IG: @uaustraldechile
University of La Frontera
Registry of victims: affected students can respond to the form available at the link in Stories.
More information on IG: @ufro.temuco
Talca University
Registry of victims: affected students, administrative and academic staff can respond to the form available on IG.
More information on IG: @utalca
Metropolitan University of Education Sciences
For members of the UMCE community who require assistance, please write to emergencia2024@umce.cl
In addition, UMCE launched a solidarity campaign to help UPLA and UV.
More information on IG: @umce.cl
Metropolitan Technological University
UTEM called on its university community to join the solidarity campaigns of UPLA and UV.
Review the news about the universities for more details here
More information on IG: @utem.cl
Catholic University of Maule
The UCM called on its university community to join the UPLA solidarity campaign.
More information on IG: @ucatolicamaule
Catholic University of the Holy Conception
UCSM invited its university community to join the campaign started by the @parroquiauniversitaria and the @parroquiadesantajuana to help the people affected by the fires in the Valparaíso Region.
More information on IG: @ucscconcepcion
Catholic University of Temuco
Register of victims: complete the form at the following link https://www.uct.cl/incendios2024
More information on IG: @uctemuco
University of the Andes
UAndes called on its university community to join the UPLA solidarity campaign.
More information on IG: @uandes
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