b'FEATURED ARTICLEHEART-WARMING RESPONSE FROM ALUMNI TO UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO PTEA TAUTOKO STUDENT RELIEF FUNDIn May 2020, the University of Otago launched the student relief fund Ptea Tautoko to support students facing financial hardship due to the pandemic. The University committed an initial $1.5 million to the fund, making it the largest hardship initiative in its history.I n the following months, the wider University communityProfessor Hayne has also donated 20 per cent of her salary has responded generously to the needs of the students.forsixmonths,andUniversityCouncilmembershave ByearlySeptember,705Alumni,friends,staff,donated 20 per cent of their Council fees for six months.currentstudentsandparentshaddonatedmorethanThe pandemic has created unprecedented levels NZD$385,000 to the fund.of hardship within our student community and Ptea Tautoko is a critical part of Otagos response With further funding received from the Government, Pteato support students through this challenging Tautoko,whichtranslatesasfinancialsupport,nowtime, says Professor Hayne.totals NZD$3.5 million. To date, NZD$2.7 million in grants has been allocated to support more than 1,500 students. We are extremely grateful for the generosity shown by our Alumni and friends, staff, students Vice-ChancellorProfessorHarleneHaynesaystheand parents. The way they have reached out to responsetothehardshipfundfromtheUniversityhelp makes it possible for so many of our most community has been extraordinary, and heart-warming.vulnerable students to receive the support they Morethan388donationshavecomefromfirst-timeneed.donors to the University. The video Otago University and COVID-19: Playing our Part, highlights the role Otagos academics and medical experts have played in shaping New Zealands response to COVID-19.102 FACE 2 FACE MAGAZINE'