Although more than 500 Penn students hail from regions directly hit by the massive tsunami on Dec. 26, to the best of the Penn administration's knowledge, no international students or study-abroad programs were directly affected by the disaster, Interim Provost Peter Conn said.
Student leaders in the Asian-American community are planning several fundraising efforts for international relief organizations once students return to campus.
Sweta Shiva, a Wharton senior and President of the South Asia Society, is leading an effort by the Asian Pacific Student Coalition to plan a charity dinner on Jan. 18 to raise money for tsunami victims.
"Since the tsunami hit mostly South Asia, people were looking to us to do something," Shiva said. "SAS is really the largest minority undergrad organization on campus, and we wanted to use our manpower ... to do something good since the tsunami was such a severe event."
APSC Vice Chairman and College junior Wesley Nakamura said his organization -- which represents Asian- and Pacific-American groups on campus -- will help its members to coordinate their charity events.
"A lot of people, regardless of what ethnic background they are, really felt a connection to what happened. A lot of groups on campus have been talking about what they can do," Nakamura said. "I think they really want to help."
While the Undergraduate Assembly has no specific plans to fundraise, members hope to help other student groups organize efforts.
"The UA is trying to coordinate a university-wide effort and use our resources as the undergraduate student government to incorporate as many constituents as possible," UA Chairman and College senior Jason Levine said.
He added that the UA's role would become more clear once classes resume and students are back on campus.
"There's a sense of urgency, but we want to make sure we do it right and maximize the potential of aid that we can get," he said.
Conn said that the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life is eager to back any student-led fundraising.
"It is a source of real sorrow," he said. "We are deeply concerned for the victims."
Conn added that the University will provide counseling services for students in the wake of the disaster.
"A good counseling service will make itself available," he said. "If it's resources [that are needed], we'll step up with resources."
Conn said that the University would increase the availability of counselors if students need psychological support once classes resume.
Laura McCloskey -- a professor in the School of Social Work with a background in psychology -- suggested that the University make available free international phone calls for students with family or friends in the affected region.
"I think that would be important because one thing we do know about people who suffer from traumatic events is that they have a very pronounced need to affiliate," she said. "They really desperately need to talk to family members, to feel connected."
As other universities return from break, some have undertaken larger efforts. Harvard University announced it will match any donations to tsunami relief efforts made by its approximately 20,000 students and 15,000 employees. Harvard released a list of 26 charities to which it will match up to $100 contributions.
"I think it's wonderful that [Harvard] has decided to do that," said McCloskey, who also is an adjunct associate professor at Harvard's School of Public Health. "But they can afford to. Penn may not be able to afford that."
Shalini Dev Bhutani, the Director of International Student and Scholar Services, said that the Office of International Programs sent an e-mail to all international students on Jan. 3, expressing condolences and recommending international relief organizations accepting contributions.
"The impact of this will be very clear as time goes by," she said.
