Aug. 7, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
The chancellor, myself, the provost and other leaders have sent a number of messages recently with extensive information about our return to campus this fall.
Today, I wanted to take a step back and thank you for all you鈥檝e done and all that you鈥檒l accomplish in the weeks to come. I鈥檓 grateful for your hard work and flexibility confronting a variety of issues new and old. Each day, I鈥檓 amazed by your ability to solve problems and meet the challenges ahead.聽
As we welcome students back to campus in the coming days, we will be navigating uncharted waters. Although we鈥檝e been planning tirelessly for months, the COVID-19 pandemic will present us with challenges we haven鈥檛 anticipated and circumstances we haven鈥檛 experienced. If history is a guide, your flexibility and patience will enable the university to meet its educational and teaching missions. We will rise to the occasion.聽
To fulfill our mission we must address issues of race, equity, culture and opportunity. We must create a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment. I recently met with staff of color to hear their experience and gain their insight about how we can make Strategic Resources and Support more just and equitable. I鈥檓 encouraged that we鈥檙e developing an evolving blueprint to guide us, and I can鈥檛 thank the staff members who shared their stories and experiences enough for their commitment to a better, more inclusive campus. I hope all of you will join us on the journey toward meaningful change.
As the backbone of our university鈥揺ssential to the broader community鈥搚ou are critical to its success. I especially want to thank Staff Council for its leadership and advocacy for our staff. Please stay engaged with your own Staff Council representative; and let us know where we鈥檙e succeeding and where we can improve. We must, and will, move forward together.聽
Finally, I recognize that everyone is facing stress and anxiety across our personal and professional lives. COVID-19 has changed the ways we live and work and has disrupted any sense of normalcy. In these times, it鈥檚 more important than ever that you take care of yourselves and your families. Find time to rest and recharge, and treat each other with kindness and empathy.聽
We are Buffs together,
Patrick O鈥橰ourke
Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Office