¿ì»îapp

Dear ¿ì»îapp community members,ÌýÌý

Welcome to fall quarter! And to our Sturm community—welcome to the fourth week of your fall semester!ÌýÌý

Back in the spring,Ìýwe hoped by this time to notÌýbe battling COVID-19Ìýas we are today. But,Ìýwe must take stockÌýof how much we have to celebrate despite this ongoing challenge. WeÌýareÌýwelcomingÌýthe largest class of first-year and transfer students inÌý¿ì»îapp’sÌýhistory—and the most diverse. Our graduateÌýstudentÌýenrollments are also robust,ÌýexceedingÌýour targets.ÌýAnd our campus is incredibly safe with 97% of those cleared for campusÌýbeingÌývaccinated, frequent testing and contact tracing to help monitorÌýthe virus’s spread, and indoor maskingÌýserving as another layer of security. In contrast to the fall of 2020, we are bringing into academic year 2021 a fuller toolbox of proven successes and lessons learned. Most importantly, people are excited to be backÌýtogetherÌýtoÌýreconnect withÌýold friends and make new ones.ÌýÌý

Now,Ìýlet’s expand our focus. Every single day, this community builds upon all we learned yesterday.ÌýÌý

So, let us bringÌýrenewed vigorÌýinto academic year 2021,Ìýpursuing our goals withÌýbothÌýcare and energy. I am deeply and personally committed toÌýtheÌýcontinued implementation and support ofÌýtheÌýDiversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan,Ìý³Ù³ó±ðÌýNative American and Indigenous InitiativesÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý³Ù³ó±ðÌýBlack Community Initiatives.ÌýAs well, ourÌýsustainability goals and workÌýare more urgent each passing year, and increasing access to ¿ì»îapp and higher education for all students remains a top priority and focus.ÌýÌý

Let us bringÌýcuriosityÌýandÌýcompassion intoÌýacademicÌýyear 2021.ÌýThe foundation of higher education is expanding our understanding of the world (and beyond!) and one another. As we come together, let us do so with open mindsÌýbut also with profoundÌýrespect—respect for our friends, colleagues and peers and also for the wonderful diversity of thought they bring toÌýour conversations and learning. This respect, kindness and compassion is a requirement at ¿ì»îapp and central to our values.ÌýÌý

Finally, let us bringÌýa profound sense of gratitude into academic year 2021. Today more than ever, there areÌýmany waysÌýwe are takingÌýcare ofÌýeach other’s wellbeing. From wearing our face coverings, getting vaccinated, andÌýtestingÌýregularlyÌýtoÌývolunteering at our SPIT labsÌýandÌýsupporting others whileÌýtheyÌýquarantineÌýor isolate—this community is living up to its commitment to the public good. Thank you.Ìý

This year, together, we will strive to understand more, help more,Ìýconnect more. A new academic year is not a clean slate so much as a next step, and I am honored to be able to take that step alongside you, building on what we’ve accomplished and looking forward to all we have yet to do.Ìý

Happy AY ’21, ¿ì»îapp.ÌýÌý

Ìý

Sincerely,ÌýÌý

Jeremy HaefnerÌý

ChancellorÌýÌý