Welcome to campus, whether you are joining the community in person or remotely.
Academic year 2020-21, as you have already heard many times, is going to be different. While there are many uncertainties about this year, our commitment to you is absolute.
We are all working, faculty and staff, to ensure you get quality academics and the support you need to achieve success while offering opportunities to explore your interests and develop as a person.
We embark on this semester in the midst of a global pandemic and an intensive national dialogue on racial justice. Much is to be done on both fronts, and the faculty and staff have worked diligently this summer to think critically through both issues. It will take all of us working together to tackle these challenges.
We have reduced density in all campus buildings, increased cleaning and sanitation efforts and provided all members of the community with access to a mask. The community positivity rate in our county is low, we have been able to secure testing, implement contact tracing and install classroom technology to enhance learning, but these measures only take us so far. To keep campus open for all students, it is critical that we all take The Raider Respect Pledge seriously.
The research is clear. Wearing a mask and social distancing are key to mitigating the spread of COVID-19. I have heard repeatedly from students that they truly need and want to be on campus to have a successful semester. Please, do your part.
Sign and abide by The Raider Respect Pledge, even when no one is around to hold you accountable. This is what it means to be a Raider.
Call upon your Raider character to do your part for social and racial justice. This summer, we held several town hall discussions on anti-racism.
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