April 1, 2020
Dear Student Affairs Team,
As we learn to live with the Stay at Home – Work Safe Order and experience our first week of remote learning, I express my deepest gratitude for all that you do. You impress me daily with your patience and flexibility during this rapidly changing, complex public health crisis.
I realize these changes are very difficult and disruptive. Your creativity, fortitude and care inspire me, as well as other staff and leadership across campus. It is amazing how quickly you are responding to emergency housing, food and technology needs; creating virtual student communities for support groups and fitness; offering innovative health and mental health services by phone or video; developing business procedures to address refunds and other needs; answering questions and addressing concerns from students and families; and the list goes on.
For those of you working on campus in Recreational Sports, University Health Services, University Housing and Dining and University Unions, thank you for diligently serving our campus.
These changes to our work life can also affect our personal lives. Given this reality, thank you for making accommodations to support our students while managing your own homes. Many of you are juggling work while taking care your family at home; I can empathize. My son and daughter moved back home from college and are now learning remotely while I am working. While it is challenging to integrate work/life balance from one place, I am grateful that I can spend time with my family.
Self-care is especially important during these demanding times, so I hope you are finding daily routines to create some normalcy while staying connected to your friends and family. I have made it a point to walk, ride my bike and binge watch “The Crown.”
Remember, we are in this together. Stay strong and healthy, and take care of each other.
With gratitude,
Soncia Reagins-Lilly
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
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