Chancellor Linda Katehi and her colleagues around the system issued this letter in support of the UC Haiti Summit:

In response to a desire by faculty, students and staff on all 10 UC campuses to find ways that our university can support the rebuilding of Haiti, a group of UC students has taken the initiative to organize a UC Haiti Summit. As a UC system, we have much talent and expertise in many different fields needed to assist the Haitian people in the long process of rebuilding their earthquake-devastated country. We are pleased to support our students’ efforts in putting together this summit.

A series of meetings is being planned to take place on April 24 at the UCSF Mission Bay campus. The day will involve discussion among UC students, faculty and staff to identify possible projects, explore collaborations and develop a plan of action.

Members of the UC community have a long and proud history of public service, and the long-term rebuilding of Haiti is an effort where our faculty, staff and students may wish to contribute their talent, creativity and expertise.

Register: tinyurl.com/uchaiti

Inquiries: uchaiti@gmail.com

As the UC system prepares to host the Haiti Summit, Dateline presents an essay by Department of Plant Sciences graduate student Starry Sprenkle, who survived the Jan. 12 earthquake and continues with her research on reforestation in Haiti.