The Conferenza dei Rettori delle Università Italiane (www.crui.it) has launched an appeal on behalf of the University of L'Aquila. The University's campus is the historic centre of the city itself, and the earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region on 6 April destroyed or damaged a good part of the University's buildings and infrastructure. The entire record system for the institution's 27,000 students was lost in a fire that engulfed the computing centre as one consequence of the earthquake. The University's saddest loss was the loss of life occasioned by the collapse of the principal student residence. Manufacturing industry in the area has all but disappeared, leaving the University, along with tourism, as the effective lifeblood of a city of 72,000 people; so the regeneration of the University has wide significance beyond the academic community and the students it serves. In response to this appeal it was agreed at the Annual General Meeting on 18 April that the SIS would make a donation of £500. The donation has accordingly been made and the following message sent to the Rector of the University:

Al Magnifico Rettore dell'Università degli Studi de L'Aquila, prof. Ferdinando Di Orio

La Society for Italian Studies, molti dei cui soci insegnano lingua e cultura italiana negli atenei britannici ed irlandesi, esprime il proprio cordoglio ai familiari delle vittime del terremoto che il 6 aprile ha duramente colpito l'Abruzzo; e, volendo manifestare la più profonda solidarietà al Rettore dell'Università degli Studi de L'Aquila, ai docenti, agli studenti, e a tutta la comunità universitaria, ha versato sul conto Università Emergenza Terremoto la somma - che purtroppo, in considerazione delle sconvolgenti conseguenze del sisma, non può essere che simbolica - di 500 sterline.

Spencer Pearce
Honorary Treasurer