Jan 6: Weekly Update from President Nowaczyk

Jan 6, 2021 9:58 PM

Good afternoon and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing winter break. I know that we may not have had the traditional celebration many of us are accustomed to, but I am hoping 2021 is the year we will see an improvement in our ability to socialize and be together with friends and family again.

Here are a few updates from campus:

Pending announcement about campus operations for spring 2021
I have been consulting with the team responsible with advising the executive cabinet and me about our plans for the spring 2021 semester. As promised, we will have an announcement no later than Friday, Jan. 8, about our plans for spring. We are considering many factors including 1) community, regional and state indicators on the virus; 2) system expectations regarding university operations; 3) plans for screening and testing; and 4) conditions on campus. I met with staff and faculty leadership on Monday to brief them on these considerations.

USM discussions about testing and vaccinations
Weekly meetings involving the University System of Maryland office and campuses continue concerning testing protocols for the spring semester and each university’s plans. We also have had discussions about the potential rollout of the vaccine this spring. USM has been very active in keeping current on state plans and logistics. We have offered to be a point of distribution for the vaccine if asked by the local health department. I certainly encourage everyone to get the vaccine as soon as it is possible for you to do so. Our health center employees and other first responders on campus currently have received or will be soon be receiving the first dose of the vaccine. We will provide updates on testing and vaccination as we find out more.

Athletics
The Mountain East Conference is planning to resume intercollegiate competition tomorrow, beginning with men’s and women’s basketball games. We have away games scheduled at Davis & Elkins College. Our student-athletes for those two teams have been back for more than a week, living on campus, being COVID-tested frequently, and exceeding NCAA guidelines regarding practice and living arrangements. When I met with the student-athletes, it was clear they were glad to be back on campus.

Communications
I will continue the practice of weekly emails and, beginning the week of Jan. 18, holding virtual coffee hours on a biweekly basis with students as well as with faculty and staff. We will send reminders prior to those dates with the links to join each event.

I hope everyone continues to be safe and healthy.

Ronald Nowaczyk, PhD
President