Hello CALS Colleagues,
As you know there is much conversation about COVID, how it continues to impact us and the ways in which we are each managing our exposure and response. The same is happening at thousands of institutions, each in their own context, in regard to this disease. Last week we received updated guidance from our own institution, as our leadership works intently on this issue. Please take maximum advantage of that guidance and be a role model for others around you, in the best Cyclone community spirit you have. This is so important.
Last week I put out a call for volunteers from CALS to be ready to be trained and participate in whatever university COVID response needs might emerge. The response was amazing. So many of you raised your hand (by email, of course) to say you’d help. Thank you!
Last week I also had some very important conversations about the coming semester with our CALS Staff Council under Nate Dobbels leadership, and then with the chair of our CALS Faculty Senate Caucus, Virginia Hanson. It is especially important in these times to keep our lines of communication open, to air our concerns, ideas and the opportunities we see, and to encourage each other forward. This is true with regard to the things that cause us stress and with regard to the things that make us smile.
Virginia and I came up with an idea that we will start next week. We will be calling on you to contribute to a new section of this Monday message – concise stories of things at work that made you smile, things that caused you to reflect on the CALS Cyclone spirit, inspiring students you’ve met, faculty nailing new grants and more. We often take time to work on stressful things, but we also need to take time to celebrate that which makes us smile. It’s good for our morale and for our mission. Watch for this.
Take good care this week, and let me know what you’re thinking. My best. - Dan
Nature in Focus
Another great stone inscription on campus, located not far from the Campanile, in honor of Henry C. Wallace. We're part of his legacy.
Whomever sent me this card last week, you really made my day; my year! Thanks so much!
Please keep sharing your photos with me via email!
