Employee Emergency Fund

If there is one thing that the current crisis has made clear to all of us, it is that we are in this together. We are University of Detroit Mercy, a community that works together to deliver a quality education to our students. Whatever our particular role, we each are an integral part of the University family. Our mission calls us to be in solidarity with one another, especially in times of need.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact, not only on our students, but on employees of the University as well. Our community has not been spared the realities of job loss, illness and the loss of loved ones and family members. Where emergency needs have always been a reality for members of our University community, they have become increasingly so in this trying time.

As members of an institution that holds the values of cura personalis (or care for the whole person) and cura apostolica (or care for the work), we are being invited to care for one another as we continue to sustain the work of delivering a quality education for our students. Our current reality is pushing us to experience these values in tension, but we can only care for the work if we care for one another and ourselves.

To enable those who work at the University to support one another in times of crisis, the University is establishing the Employee Emergency Fund, understanding employees to include all those who work for the University as well as those who are subcontracted in our food service, custodial services and the bookstore. This fund is made possible through the generous donations of faculty, staff and administrators of Detroit Mercy.

Employee Emergency Fund Guidelines

Award Criteria

The Employee Emergency Funding is available through the Office of Mission Integration for employees of Detroit Mercy and those who work at the University for Metz, Aramark and Barnes & Noble who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to temporary hardship related to an unforeseen emergency. The amount awarded may be less than the amount requested based on the funding that is available based on donations received, and we wish to support as many requests as possible. Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis. Awards are not considered loans and do not require repayment.

Important: Funds are considered taxable income. The total amount will be included as income either on a university employee’s W-2 or you will be sent a 1099.

Applying for Emergency Funding

At the present time there are no funds available through the Employee Emergency Fund which is funded completely through donations. Funds may be available in the future if additional donations are received.

What next?

A member of the Employee Emergency Funding Team will be in contact within 72 hours, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Who is eligible?

• Those directly employed by Detroit Mercy as well as those who work at the University through Metz, Aramark and Barnes & Nobles. Adjunct faculty who have worked at the university who completed three consecutive months of employment during the most recent semester are also eligible to apply.
• An employee who has not previously received financial assistance through this fund.

Due to a limited amount of funds available, the Employee Emergency Fund team will need to evaluate individual requests and distribute funds based on critical and urgent needs. The Employee Emergency Fund team will work to ensure relief funds are distributed to as many employees as possible.

Expenses Generally Covered

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Emergency housing expenses due to a recent loss of income Emergency temporary lodging (if you find yourself homeless or in an unsafe situation)
• Essential utilities (e.g. electric, gas, water)
• Temporary food insecurity
• Emergency medical treatment/medication/prescriptions when you do not have the ability to pay and the costs cannot be covered by insurance
• Financial needs arising from an unexpected emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incidents
• Other financial needs arising from individual and special circumstances to be determined on a case by case basis

Expenses Generally Not Covered

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Health insurance
• Continuous fixed expenses (e.g. rent)
• Non-essential utilities (cable)
• Costs of entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel
• Legal counsel and fees
• Expenses due to a lack of financial planning or overspending

Distribution of Emergency Funding

The funds will be disbursed, via a check, within two weeks of the Employee Emergency Fund team’s approval.