On Friday evening, November 7, a significant fire occurred off campus at the privately-owned Olympia Drive Apartment complex.

While affected students have been receiving direct, detailed guidance from the Dean of Students Office, this page collects statements, updates, and general resource links. 

University Statements

• Letter to Campus from Chancellor Javier A. Reyes: Olympia Place Fire Response Update and Campus Support
• Letter to Campus from the Office of Student Affairs: Olympia Place Fire and Campus Emergency Resource Center
• Statement on Fire at Olympia Place
• Important Updates for Faculty from Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
• Update from Dean of Students Office

Latest Updates

November 12, 7:05 a.m.

The on-campus Emergency Resource Center will re-open Wednesday and Thursday (November 12 and 13) for affected students. On-site resources will include on-campus housing assignments, off-campus housing representatives, loaner laptop distribution, UCard replacements, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, the Office of Global Affairs to support international students with documentation needs, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and more. 

November 12, 7:00 a.m.

Office of Global Affairs staff (OGA) will be available at the Emergency Resource Center to provide complete document copies of previous I-20 forms, passports, and F-1 visa stamps for affected international students. OGA has reissued all I-20 forms.

November 12, 7:00 a.m.

Student Care and Emergency Response Funds (SCERF) will be distributed by the Bursar's Office via Excess Express. Affected students have been asked to review their accounts to ensure banking information is up to date.

November 10, 1:14 p.m.

PVTA UMass bus routes impacted

November 10, 11:15 a.m.
Effective immediately, material goods, including clothing, kitchenware, and school supplies, can be donated at New2U. All donations should be brought to New2U. The store is accessible via the Southwest Concourse on the second floor of Hampden, across the main lobby from the Hampden Art Gallery. We are looking for volunteers to sort donations and staff the New2U store.

New2U store hours this week will be Monday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Tuesday for Veteran's Day, open 12-5 p.m., Wednesday to Friday. The lobby will remain open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday to Friday. Any food donations should brought to one of the November Food Drive bins located around campus.

November 9, 7:40 p.m. 
Amherst Town Manager Rescinds State of Emergency

Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman has rescinded the State of Emergency for the Town of Amherst. Residents may resume regular water use as the Town’s water reserves have returned to normal.

November 8, 6:01 p.m.
Amherst Town Manager Declares State of Emergency

Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman has declared a State of Emergency due to the ongoing fires on Olympia Drive. Residents are urged to stop all non-essential water use to help conserve water for firefighting operations. Over one million gallons of water have been used so far in these efforts, and it will take some days to recover the Town’s water levels. The State of Emergency will ensure the Town will have access to any emergency state or Federal funds that may be available to the displaced residents, property owner, and Town.

November 8, 1:59 p.m.  
The Town of Amherst is reporting that the the fire at Olympia Place is still currently ongoing. The town has asked all residents to please stop all non-essential water use immediately to help conserve water for firefighting efforts. Please stay clear of the area and follow emergency services' instructions. Members of the UMass community who have been impacted by the fire have been directed to UMass emergency services.

November 8, 8:50 a.m.
The university is actively supporting students affected by the Olympia Drive fire. An on-campus Emergency Resource Center, staffed by the university and the Red Cross, was set up on Saturday, November 8. 

Any student resident of Olympia Place who did not check into the center will be contacted by the Dean of Students Office for a needs assessment and further support.

Resources 

Housing Help 
Students who require immediate or short-term housing assistance should fill out the form emailed to them by the Dean of Students office. A staff member from the Dean of Students Office will follow up as soon as possible. 

Legal Assistance 
The Student Legal Services Office (SLSO) is a student-funded law office that provides free legal assistance to all fee-paying UMass Amherst students and student groups. SLSO is staffed by full-time attorneys, administrative support staff and student interns. They offer a wide range of legal advice, representation options, low-cost assistance and referrals to private attorneys. 

To request student legal assistance, please fill out the Student Legal Services Office (SLSO) intake form. 

Basic Needs
The Red Cross and Salvation Army are on site assisting students. All residents who have not come to the on-campus Emergency Resource Center will be contacted by university staff to assess need. 

Food Aid 
Residents of Olympia Place may use any on-campus dining hall without charge. 

Academic Accommodations 
The Office of the Provost will be contacting all faculty and course instructors to ensure that students receive the support they need. A copy of the message sent to faculty will be shared on this page. 

Counseling 
As a community, we are committed to the care of every one of our students, and we know that events such as these can take a toll on one’s mental health and wellbeing. If you are experiencing distress, the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH) offers online resources, same-day consultations, and other opportunities for conversations that provide emotional and mental health support. 

Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH) 
Middlesex House 
Phone: 413-545-2337 
Emergency on-call services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
CCPH Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Assistance 
The Dean of Students office has several programs to help in the case of unexpected financial emergencies for students. The office will reach out to work with affected students directly. 

The Dean of Students Office is working with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services to facilitate the distribution of emergency funding and disaster vouchers that students may qualify for. 

Ways to Donate

Donations of NEW underwear and socks and toiletries for students impacted by the Olympia fire can be dropped off at New2U or UMass Downtown. Other material goods, including clothing, kitchenware and school supplies, can also be donated and brought to New2U. The store is accessible via the Southwest Concourse on the second floor of Hampden, across the main lobby from the Hampden Art Gallery. We are also looking for volunteers to sort donations and staff the New2U store. 

New2U: Room 205 of the Hampden Commons in the Southwest Residential Area; store open 12-5; lobby donation drop-off: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

UMass Downtown: 108 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; opens at 10 a.m. 

Any food donations should brought to one of the November Food Drive bins located around campus.

If you were not affected by the crisis, but would like to help, please consider donating to the Student Care and Emergency Response Fund (SCERF), which helps support students facing emergency needs.

The Student Care and Emergency Response Fund collects and distributes financial support for students with emergency needs. The Dean of Students Office will coordinate future collection and distribution of supplies and add information to this page when available. 

The most effective way to support those affected is by giving to the Response Fund. Monetary gifts allow us to respond quickly to urgent needs and provide the right help at the right time.