Rounding Out the Academic Year with Gratitude

Dear Colleagues,

I’m sure many of you would agree that the second half of this spring semester has been one of the most challenging times of our careers. I know that it has been for me.

Over the last couple of months, however, my heart has been filled with pride and warmth because of the reactions of the UMD campus community. Faculty experts continuing to provide important information to the public, a touching video from faculty to communication and journalism graduates, graphic design students raising money for local non-profits, our archives and special collection staff working to preserve this historic time, and UMD vocal music graduate Adam Giebner composing and performing this song dedicated to UMD with fellow music colleagues are just a few examples of how we have responded with care and compassion.

I am so impressed by all the ways that our UMD community has pulled together and supported students and each other through these last weeks of the semester. I thank each of you for your contributions, and I also want to give some well-deserved shout outs to some specific groups on campus.
 
Thank you to Dining Services for providing the students who remained on campus with three delicious meals a day. Thanks to Facilities Management and UMD Police who continue to monitor our buildings and campus. Thanks to the Mail Department who, in addition to their regular duties, sent out thousands of boxes of commencement greetings to graduating seniors and also operated Champ’s Cupboard. (By the way, Champ’s Cupboard will remain open this summer!) Thanks to ITSS who supported faculty, staff, and students as classes shifted to online. Thank you to all the advisors and resource groups who helped our students navigate many changes.  
 
I’m sorry that we couldn’t hold our annual award ceremony. Congratulations to the faculty and staff who received awards and to the individuals who reached milestone years of service.  

This Saturday, you are invited to our virtual commencement program at 11:00 a.m. While not the same as a day together in Amsoil Arena, we are proud to be able to recognize our graduates and their accomplishments. Video content will be available on the systemwide commencement website until June 30. 
 
Some of you have asked if there is a way to support UMD students specifically rather than through systemwide funds. If you are interested, you can make a gift to support UMD students who are experiencing financial hardships. This new UMD Student Emergency Fund supports students impacted by COVID-19, and helps them gain access to housing, food, tuition, mental health services, and transportation.
 
I hope that you have a peaceful, restorative summer. Please stay healthy. Thank you for making UMD strong and resilient.
 
Sincerely,


Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

UMD Extended Reduced Operations with Sunrise Plan

Colleagues,
 
Well, it is finals week in what has truly been a semester to remember. I just cannot express enough gratitude to each of you for all you’ve done to help UMD and most importantly, our students during this time. While there are still unknowns, we are moving ahead and have pulled together as a campus community to deal successfully with many new challenges. Thank you.  

Last week, President Gabel sent a message announcing a phased-in approach for the return of employees to University locations across the state. You can view the full “Sunrise Plan” and related FAQ on the Safe Campus site.

It is important to note that campus is still under Extended Reduced Operations and campus facilities are not accessible to the public and not accessible to UMD employees without approval.

As we continue to plan our return to University workplaces in thoughtful and careful ways, I want to first say that your safety is our highest priority. I recognize that some of you may wish to return to your workspace soon, and this is occurring across the University only in very limited situations—in particular, for faculty and staff who cannot complete their work from home. During this period of a phased and deliberate return to worksites across the institution, it’s important that we all remember: 

• If we are able to continue working from home, we are expected to do so until further notice. This is based on guidance from state and public health officials, and the University’s own medical and public health experts. We must continue to work together to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• If you believe you need to return to campus to do your job, please consult with your supervisor/department head and follow the application process for requesting approval to return, using this form to make the request.
• If you have questions about whether you should return to campus, please consult with your supervisor/department head.
• Supervisors/department heads: If you decide to approve a submitted request, you need to route it for 2nd level approval through the e-form system. All approvals are processed electronically. For colleges, the 2nd level approval is the dean. For all other units the 2nd level approval is your vice chancellor or chancellor (for chan unit).

The systemwide plan and our campus’ plan will evolve as the pandemic shifts and changes, and we will adjust our approach if there is a change that would put employees at risk. 

Below are some of the safety procedures we will put into place to support both the immediate and long-term return processes. Please note that we are following state and federal recommendations for safe workspaces. 

• Social distancing is expected to continue in accordance with MDH and CDC recommendations. We are working to ensure that workspaces can accommodate social distancing requirements.
• Cloth masks are available for faculty and staff, if needed, and may be picked up at the Lund Building after May 6 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. daily. Enter the building on the College Avenue side, by the small parking lot, using the service door next to the two large loading doors. Once inside, proceed to the receiving area.
• Regular housekeeping practices are being enhanced by facilities management, including frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings and elevator panels, among others. 
• All employees must do their part to keep workspaces clean and to avoid sharing workspaces and/or equipment.
• Your manager or supervisor will share additional requirements as more and more teams return to University worksites.

We are taking these steps to enable all of you to return in a way that supports your health and continued good work, knowing that details may vary depending on each employee’s responsibilities and situation. 

We all share responsibility for a safe return and I have confidence in our cooperative efforts if we approach this methodically. If you have any questions or feedback on this or any part of the plan, please reach out to me or your vice chancellor. 

Thank you,
 
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Board of Regents Seeking Budget Feedback

Dear Colleagues, The Board of Regents will review and discuss President Gabel’s recommended fiscal year 2021 annual operating budget at their meeting on Thursday, May 7. Please see a message below from the Board office asking for your feedback on the proposed budget. Lendley C. Black Chancellor

Office of the Board of Regents FY 2021 Operating Budget Feedback Sought Regents invite comments on proposed operating budget   At the May 7 meeting of the Finance & Operations Committee, the Board of Regents will review President Gabel’s recommended FY 2021 annual operating budget. The budget will be available in the docket materials on the Board of Regents website on Friday, May 1 at 12:00 p.m. The Board welcomes feedback from the University community on the proposed budget.   The Board’s Finance & Operations Committee will act on the budget at its June 11 meeting, and the Board will consider final passage of the budget at its meeting on June 12. Both meetings are public, live-streamed, and video recorded.   Online Feedback Form   The Board has an online feedback form to gather input from the University community and the public. Written comments may be submitted via the feedback form on the Board of Regents website. Comments will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. Comments submitted through the online form will be included in the Board’s June meeting docket as part of the official public record.   FY 2021 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET TIMELINE Friday, May 1, 12:00 p.m. – President Gabel’s recommended FY 2021 operating budget available in the May Finance & Operations Committee docket on Board’s website. Budget comment period opens. ​​​​​​Thursday, May 7, 1:00 p.m. – Board of Regents reviews the FY 2021 operating budget during the meeting of the Finance & Operations Committee. The meeting will be held virtually, live streamed, and a recording can be viewed on the Board’s YouTube channel. Tuesday, June 2, 12:00 p.m. – Budget comment period closes. Friday, June 5, 12:00 p.m. – President Gabel’s recommended FY 2021 operating budget and public comments on the budget available in the June docket on the Board’s website. Thursday, June 11 – Board of Regents meets to act on the FY 2021 operating budget during the meeting of the Finance & Operations Committee. This meeting is public, live streamed, and video recorded. Friday, June 12 – Board of Regents acts on the recommendation of the Finance & Operations Committee related to the FY 2021 operating budget during the full Board meeting. This meeting is public, live streamed, and video recorded.