SMC Supporting Its Japanese Students, Staging Fundraisers Amid Disasters

administrators are supporting the school's significant Japanese student population amid the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the ongoing fears surrounding potential radiation leaks at multiple nuclear power plants. The college is helping affected students locate family and friends in Japan, holding support groups, and coordinating fundraisers.

"With the rest of the world, our hearts and prayers here at Santa Monica College are with the people of Japan, particularly those who have been hard-hit by the recent earthquake, tsunami and now the threat of radiation leakage from a nuclear power plant," SMC President said in a statement issued Tuesday. "We are especially concerned about the many Japanese students we have here at the college, along with our large group of Japanese alumni and anyone in our college community who has relatives and friends there."

The college's International Education Center is assisting the international students with finding their family and friends in Japan, and connecting them with the Japanese Consulate in Los Angeles if they are unable to do so. (The phone number for the consulate is 213.617.6700.)

On Tuesday, the center held a support group for affected students, with another to follow on Mar. 24. Campus psychologists will be present at the second meeting, which will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the IEC-Counseling House. Additional support groups may be subsequently scheduled.

Also, Associate Dean of International Education Denise Kinsella and Dean of Student Life are helping students coordinate multiple fundraisers on campus. The Associated Students—SMC's student government—is also assisting with the efforts.

"I know that many of you are responding individually, or working with students, to raise money for the relief effort," Tsang said. "We are all grateful for your efforts and those of our International Education Center."

The college is also pointing students to multiple charity organizations, if they wish to make individual donations: UNICEF, International Medical Corps and American Red Cross. Individuals can also donate $10 to the Red Cross, which has efforts under way on Japan, by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999.

"SMC's strong and long-standing ties to Japan are deeply valued here at the college," Tsang said. "We will continue to keep you informed of what we are doing to help our students, our community and the people of Japan."