A Friday, May 29 fire at a non-university owned, off-campus apartment displaced 150 residents, among them more than 80 UCR students. The fire destroyed about half of the units at University Riverside Gardens, 3996 Iowa Avenue. There were no injuries reported.
In the fire’s aftermath, university staff worked to mitigate impacts, even as student residents were facing the end of the school terms, including final exams and – for at least 10 impacted students – graduation.
For many of the students, the fire meant not just a loss of their university home, but a total loss of their personal belongings – complicated because many students do not carry renters’ insurance.
"What happened to our students is heartbreaking. Many of them lost not only their home, but nearly everything in it, at a moment when many should be focused on taking finals and others preparing to walk across the commencement stage,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brian Haynes. “I am incredibly touched by the resilience of our students, and proud of how this campus came together to make sure no student was left without a place to stay, a meal, or the support they need to finish the year strong."
Chancellor S. Jack Hu urged the extended campus community to help offset students’ losses through a donations site.
"It is deeply traumatic for students to experience a loss like this, resulting in uncertainty about housing, belongings, and what comes next,” Hu said. “At the same time, I have been deeply moved by the way the UC Riverside community has come together to support our Highlanders during a difficult moment.”
The fire started around 11:15 a.m., in time consuming about half of the University Riverside Gardens complex near the intersection of University and Iowa avenues. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Immediately, housing and other staff worked with the registrar’s office to identify students with the University Riverside Gardens mailing address. In the days that followed, UCR staff activated across campus - from departments such as Health, Well-being, and Safety, including its Basic Needs and Case Management units; the Office of Emergency Management, Auxiliary Services, including Housing Services and administration; Student Affairs, and Development and Alumni Engagement. Staff instituted emergency services and stood up an emergency support page that includes an FAQ and directs students to resources including for housing and legal aid. A donation site was set up to help students with expenses.
By Monday afternoon, 81 Students had filled out an emergency housing assistance form. Fifty-four students had been placed in housing, including 48 on campus in the North District and Glen Mor residential communities, and six in a nearby Marriott hotel.
Meanwhile, the provost’s office worked with the Academic Senate to address impacts on finals, grading for the quarter, and graduation. And working with ITS, replacement laptops were provided to students who lost their computers in the fire.
"Our students have shown incredible strength during this trying time,” said Denise Woods, vice chancellor for Health, Wellbeing & Safety. “The resilience of our students, combined with the swift, tireless dedication of our UCR staff, reminds us that while a fire can destroy property, it cannot shake the foundation of care that defines the Highlander family.”
