Pitzer Community Response to January Wildfires
During the wildfire crisis that struck Los Angeles County in January, Pitzer College community members mobilized to support each other. Human Resources and Student Affairs reached out to employees and students from impacted areas. The Gold Student Center was available to all Pitzer and Claremont Colleges employees and their families who needed a temporary landing spot. Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges Services provided other forms of help, including opening access to Pitzer’s Demo Kitchen and offering emotional support, housing support, and financial assistance.
In a message to the community, President Strom C. Thacker expressed gratitude “for the care and compassion this community shows for itself and the wider world around us.”
Pitzer’s physical campus remained safe. Damage from the high winds was minimal and limited mostly to downed tree limbs. Despite the relative safety of Claremont, many in the region and community were less fortunate. Several had to evacuate their homes, and some saw their homes and those of their family members directly impacted by the fires. Students who experienced financial hardship due to the fires were eligible to apply to the Student Emergency Fund.
To directly assist students in need, interested community members can designate the Student Emergency Fund when making a gift to Pitzer. For those who wish to support displaced faculty and staff, contributions can also be made to the Pitzer Fund, which supports the College’s annual budget, including unexpected expenses like those caused by the recent fires.