Dear Eastern Community,
Over the past week, I have been thinking about the many members of our Eastern community who have been affected by the devastating wildfires across the Spokane region, neighboring counties, and reservations. This has been an extraordinarily difficult and unsettling time. Some have lost their homes. Hundreds have and continue to face evacuation, and many more have been affected through family members, friends, neighbors, and communities they care deeply about.
As one fire begins to slow, others emerge or continue to spread. We know the effects of these fires will be with us long after the immediate danger has passed, and that recovery will look different for every person and every family. For those who have been impacted, I want you to know this: Your Eastern community is here for you.
I am deeply grateful to the faculty and staff who have stepped forward to help during these difficult days. Across the university, people have worked to coordinate resources and volunteer opportunities, respond to changing circumstances, and simply check in on someone who needed it. I know many are doing these things while also managing worry and uncertainty in their own lives.
Those acts of care matter. They are a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of this community. In the days and weeks ahead, I hope we will continue to extend that same grace and gratitude to one another, as well as to the aid workers temporarily living in our residence halls. Experiences like these affects each of us differently. There is no single timeline for recovering from loss, disruption, or fear, and returning to our routines does not necessarily mean that everything has returned to normal. This is a time for patience, flexibility, and compassion.
I was grateful to see so many attend our faculty and staff open forum and listening session today. If you were unable to attend, information and resources will continue to be shared on Inside EWU along with details about additional forums for students as we near move-in and the start of the school year.
There will be time ahead to focus on recovery and the work that comes next. For now, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you to those who have helped our university respond. Thank you to those who have supported a colleague, neighbor, or friend. And thank you to our entire Eastern community for continuing to take care of one another.
In gratitude,
Shari
