Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
It
was this week last year when I wrote to you announcing that we were
extending spring break and would resume instruction through remote
off-campus modalities. A year has passed, and we have persevered. Now
the promise of the vaccine and the personal responsibility each of you
has taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 have positioned us to plan for a
fall semester that includes many more in-person class experiences and
campus activities.
Along
with other University of Minnesota System campuses, UMD is preparing to
offer predominantly face-to-face instruction beginning with the Fall
2021 semester. We are planning, as much as possible, to return to
pre-pandemic approaches to our co-curricular and campus life activities.
In doing so, we realize that circumstances caused by COVID-19 may still
limit some face-to-face facets of teaching, research, and outreach, but
we are looking forward to a more in-person teaching and learning
environment.
After
much consideration from University leadership, continuous consultation
with public health colleagues, and with vaccine projections in mind, we
are feeling more assured in our ability to safely bring more students,
faculty, and staff back to campus. Through all of this, we will continue
our on-going commitment to health and safety.
Today’s
decision from President Gabel will help students prepare for fall
course registration in April, knowing there will be an increased number
of fall courses taught in-person, as well as continued hybrid and remote
learning possibilities. Meanwhile, University leaders, faculty, and
staff will continue the intense planning necessary to prepare for fall
courses, programs, and on-campus activities, including in housing,
dining facilities, and other student services. You can read more in this
University of Minnesota System press release.
This
decision is supported by emerging, positive trends related to the
pandemic, including estimated vaccination rates and the high degree of
compliance that each of you and Minnesotans overall have shown to reduce
the spread of the virus. As has been the case during the past year,
unforeseen changes in the pandemic may cause us to adjust our planning,
and we would do so consistent with state guidance and public health
considerations. We are optimistic, however, that the trends we’re seeing
today will continue as we move toward the fall.
We
understand the continuing uncertainty and frustrations about when our
faculty, staff, and students will be able to get one of the COVID-19
vaccines. The pace of vaccinations in Minnesota is increasing and signs
point toward our entire University community having access to a vaccine
by mid-summer or earlier. Meanwhile, please check the UMD Safe Campus COVID Vaccination
website as that page is updated periodically with the current status at
UMD. I also encourage you to take advantage of any opportunities
available to you to get the vaccine, because at this point, the state is
not directly providing vaccinations to colleges for our campus
communities. The Minnesota Department of Health “vaccine connector” is a tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
We will continue to follow the current Maroon & Gold Sunrise procedures
for testing, and until further notice, the University will also
continue to require face coverings and physical distancing. We expect
anyone who is sick to stay home and for all to continue practicing good
personal hygiene, such as regularly washing hands. In addition,
President Gabel’s expectation is that if University employees can work
from home, they should work from home until June 30, or until further
notice.
I
recognize there are likely many questions, and we may not have answers
for all of them right now. The leadership team and I will continue to be
in touch with you as developments occur and we work through more
details.
I
am very proud of this entire campus community and how well we have
adapted during the pandemic. Thank you for your continued dedication to
UMD and our campus community.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
