SUU Students Help Others Displaced by Housing Fire

Published: January 12, 2016 | Author: Emily Ronquillo | Read Time: 1 minutes

Southern Utah University is providing assistance to seven displaced students following a fire that took place on January 6 at 195 South 100 West in Cedar City.

Eric Kirby, executive director of student success at SUU, said the students have been offered temporary housing and meal plans as they search for more permanent solutions. Course text books were purchased for the students by Kirby and Jim McDonald, dean of the college of humanities and social sciences. There have also been many donations offered by other students such as food, clothing, transportation, school supplies, and housing.

“At SUU we are a family and these donations are proof of that,” Kirby said.

Jake Sorensen, member of the National Guard and the Sigma Chi fraternity, took charge by creating a GoFundMe account for the victims of the fire. 

“I couldn't imagine how I would feel if this happen to me. In the end I just did what I would want someone to do for me,” Sorensen said.

Jessica Smith, a member of Alpha Phi, said she also tried to imagine what it would be like to be in a similar situation. “I started going through my room looking for things to donate and found clothes and towels that I've never even used before. I also found soap, lotion and makeup I hadn’t opened before,” Smith said.

Elizabeth Campos, one of the students displaced, is grateful for all of the support her and her roommates have received from their fellow students.

“I just want to thank everyone for their support and help. It really means a lot,” Campos said.

Photo courtesy of Jordan Allred, The Spectrum. 

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