#TrentUCares: New Student Rapid Relief Fund Launched for Trent Students
Trent encourages support for students affected by COVID-19 via social media campaign and donations
With support and financial assistance for students top of mind in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Trent University has launched a new Student Rapid Relief Fund (SRRF), as part of the #TrentUCares campaign.
“Accepting that we can neither predict nor control the current situation is difficult,” said Julie Davis, vice president, External Relations and Advancement. "In response, we are focused on initiatives that encourage and support students when they need it most, instill optimism for the future, and shine a light on what is possible when we as a community come together.”
The new SRRF fund, established specifically to assist Trent students experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19, complements Trent’s reputation as a national leader for scholarships and bursaries, and builds on existing emergency funding that has previously been made available to support more than 100 students over the past several weeks.
Trent University Alumni Association has made a lead contribution of $10,000 to the SRRF.
“We want current students to know that Trent's alumni family cares about them,” said Jess Grover ‘02, president, Trent University Alumni Association. “With our current global situation, Trent students are facing unprecedented uncertainty, and they need our help. I hope that through all of this, our students will feel the spirit of Trent supporting them.”
The SRRF is available to Trent students based on financial need, and will provide support toward groceries and supplies, unexpected travel home, job loss or reduced earnings, medical costs, and mental health services.
In addition to the SRRF, the University has launched a #TrentUCares social media campaign and is inviting alumni, faculty, staff, community members and supporters to write words of encouragement for students on social media, tagging @TrentUniversity, using the #TrentUCares hashtag. Messages can also be submitted by email to alumni@trentu.ca.
In person classes at the University were shifted to online delivery in mid-March as a result of COVID-19 concerns, and students have been completing their term online. The last day of classes is today, April 3, and students are now entering the final assessment period.