Whenever a crisis occurs that affects our community directly or indirectly, such as a war or a natural disaster, EPFL enacts a series of targeted support measures, subject to approval by EPFL’s management.
These measures can take various forms, including a message of support, safe spaces for those affected to express how they feel, various types of opportunities through academic networks, mental-health and financial support, one-off events, and efforts to make it easier for members of affected communities to move to this area.
Please see below to learn about our current initiatives and those that recently ended.
For a situation to be considered a crisis:
- it must be temporary and have an identifiable start date
- it must affect a significant proportion of our community
- EPFL must be in a position to provide tangible support to those affected.
At the start of every crisis, EPFL issues a message explaining what led us to introduce support measures.
That message is not intended to be, and must not be viewed as, a political statement. It’s an initial expression of empathy framed by the Federal Council’s political reading of the crisis. And it’s written in such a way as to encourage tolerance and inclusivity within our community.
Ongoing
Please check the Middle East: help and support webpages
Please check the Ukraine: help and support webpages
For non-EPFL scientists and students who are victims of attacks to scientific and academic communities, we encourage you to contact the Scholars At Risk network and apply for assistance with them.
EPFL has been member of SAR since 2014, and is also part of the Swiss section of SAR, which is supported by swissuniversities and the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences.
Previous initiatives
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the border region between Turkey and Syria, we would first like to express our deep solidarity with you. Our hearts go out to you and your families. And for those of you who have lost loved ones in this disaster, the entire upper management wishes to offer its deepest condolences.
Counseling and support services
We remind you that counseling services are available for students (bachelor, master, and PhD) which can help you find your way this stressful situation.
You can also reach out to Turcopoly, the association of Turkish-speaking students in Lausanne, and share your thoughts and concerns with its members.
Students and staff should also feel free to call on EPFL’s spiritual care service for support.
Staff members are welcome to contact their supervisor and/or HR manager to find out what sort of support and special arrangements are possible during this period.
Support
If you have any questions, requests or suggestions, please send them to us via the online form.
Monetary donations
For your private donations:
In the wake of the terrible earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday 8 September, we would first like to express our profound sympathy to you. Our hearts go out to you and your families. And for those of you who might have lost loved ones in this disaster, the entire upper management wishes to offer my deepest condolences.
Whether you’re a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD student, or a staff member, we provide various forms of support for situations such as this. Please make the most of them.
For Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students
We remind you that counseling services are available for students (bachelor, master, and PhD) suffering from this stressful situation.
You can also reach out to APML, the association of Moroccan students in Lausanne, and share your thoughts and concerns with its members.
Students and staff should also feel free to call on EPFL’s spiritual care service for support.
For staff members and PhD students
We encourage you to contact your supervisor and/or HR manager to find out what sort of support and special arrangements are possible during this period.
And for all students and staff members, EPFL’s Trust and Support Network is another helpful source of support.
If you have any questions, requests or suggestions, please send them to us via the online form.
If you have a problem or concern that must be addressed immediately, please reach out directly to Kathryn Hess Bellwald, associate VP for student affairs and outreach.
As an institution that advocates the broad dissemination of knowledge and free will, EPFL considers that everyone should be able to study and express opinions freely. As a federal entity, this position is in line with that of the Swiss Confederation, which has already formally addressed the Iranian President Ebrahim Raissi on this subject.
We are also in discussion with our colleagues in the ETH domain and other universities to assess whether ad hoc action is justified and whether additional measures can be put in place.
Support
To better understand what help is needed, we would like to give you the opportunity to inform us about your concerns and the problems that you face currently, which you can do at this address [email protected].
Please feel welcome to share any other requests, questions, or suggestions you may have.
If your situation is urgent, please reach out directly to Kathryn Hess Bellwald, associate VP for student affairs and outreach.
Counseling services
We remind you that counseling services are available for students (bachelor, master, and PhD) suffering from this stressful situation.
Students and staff should also feel free to call on EPFL’s spiritual care service for support.
Staff members are welcome to contact their HR manager for advice on further sources of support.
Support
To better understand what help is needed, we would like to give you the opportunity to inform us about your concerns and the problems that you face currently.
For example, if you are currently stranded in Russia, or if you experience difficulties in continuing your research due to disrupted collaborations with Russian scientists, please let us know at this address [email protected].
We also encourage you to share any other concerns, requests, questions, or suggestions you may have.
If your situation is urgent, please reach out directly to Kathryn Hess Bellwald, associate VP for student affairs and outreach.
Counseling services
We remind you that counseling services are available for students (bachelor, master, and PhD) suffering from this stressful situation.
Students and staff should also feel free to call on EPFL’s spiritual care service for support.
Staff members are welcome to contact their HR manager for advice on further sources of support.