NC State Helps Students Displaced by Fire

After a fire late last week at the Village Greens Apartments off Lake Wheeler Road left some 77 NC State students without a place to stay, the Division of Academic and Student Affairs and University Housing went to work trying to find them new homes and other resources.

“We’ve been working with students to see exactly what their needs are,” says student ombuds Mike Giancola.

It’s been an extremely stressful time for the 97 residents of the privately owned complex near Centennial Campus, most of whom are students enrolled at NC State. The other residents are similarly aged recent graduates or students enrolled at other schools.

No one was injured in the March 22 fire, which started on a balcony and spread through the exterior of the building, causing damage to two dozen suite-style apartments.

Damage ranged from total destruction of some suites to light smoke and water damage in others. However, everyone in the apartment building had to be moved out.

“One of the challenges is the assumption that every student has everything burned,” Giancola says. “The good news is that’s not the case. The impact is different for each student.”

Most residents received emergency funds from the Red Cross, totaling $500 per apartment or about $125 per resident.

Displaced NC State students can receive additional aid through DASA’s Student Emergency Fund or the Feed the Pack Food Pantry, the two most popular giving funds for anyone wanting to help students.

Those are still the best way for faculty, staff, alumni and community residents to help those displaced by the fire and all students in need, Giancola says. Donate through the DASA giving site and select either of those two funds. Resources for those affected by the fire are also available at DASA’s Pack Essentials site.