Dear faculty and staff,
I hope that the semester is going well for each of you. I have a few campus updates to share with you today.ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
I am proud that our students are active and engaged in our democracy. UMD recently received the 2020 campus gold seal in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge which recognizes select higher education institutions, educators, and students for their extraordinary work in student voter engagement. Thank you to all of the campus departments and student organizations whose efforts led to this tremendous result!
DEI update
We continue to make good progress on a variety of diversity and inclusion efforts, including our campus Diversity and Inclusion action items. Some highlights include a pending modification to our Liberal Education Program to include a new category and courses that broadly focus on social justice issues.
Over 90 percent of faculty and staff have completed managing bias and diversity, inclusion, and belonging training modules. This fall, new employees will be invited to complete the modules. Additionally, first-year students enrolled in UST 1000 completed the diversity, inclusion, and belonging module.
The Police Department has begun to implement recommendations from Dr. Cedric Alexander’s report. The department has taken significant steps in broadening officers’ skill sets in de-escalation, mental health and cultural sensitivity. They are also working to enhance their community relationships to better serve our campus.
Many collegiate and campus units are engaged in additional diversity and inclusion efforts. UMD has 14 unit change teams across the campus. Learn more about their work and initiatives and don't hesitate to get in touch with them.
I send congratulations to Susana Pelayo Woodward, director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and assistant to the chancellor, for being selected to serve on the new advisory committee for the U of M Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Systemwide Review. I would also like to welcome Corey Christensen, our new equal opportunity associate and Title IX coordinator.
American Indian Advisory Board
I am pleased to announce that we have reinstated an American Indian Advisory Board (AIAB) for the UMD campus. The advisory board will serve as a liaison between American Indian communities and UMD. The board will consult on matters related to campus programs and services on behalf of American Indian students and on other relevant matters related to UMD’s research and public service mission.
The AIAB has ten members from Fond du Lac Reservation, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Bois Forte Reservation, and Grand Portage Reservation, and two UMD students. At its first meeting, the Board elected Dorothy Olson, Fond du Lac enrollee and retired assistant director of UMD's American Indian Learning Resource Center, as board chair. Current UMD staff member and enrolled member of Fond du Lac Jody O'Connor will assist the chancellor and the board with scheduling, minutes, and other logistics. The board will typically meet three times a year.
Employee Engagement Survey
The University of Minnesota System just completed an employee engagement survey. I want to thank our faculty and staff for your participation. UMD’s overall staff response rate was 83% and the faculty response rate was 69%. Data from the survey allows leaders at the University to focus efforts to improve the faculty and staff workplace experience in order to effectively pursue our mission.
PEAK - Positioned for Excellence, Alignment, and Knowledge
The University of Minnesota System’s PEAK initiative which seeks to “identify opportunities across non-academic functions to increase efficiency or gain capacity” continues to move forward. Beginning in January, several functional work teams will meet regularly to develop solutions and translate the identified opportunities into detailed recommendations. Other teams will begin their work next summer. I am pleased that Duluth is well represented in these teams. Every major functional workgroup has UMD representation.
COVID-19
As we look forward to a holiday break, we are also preparing for a predicted surge in COVID-19 cases in our state and in the U.S. in general. The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) guidance for holidays and gatherings has helpful information about preventing COVID-19.
MDH has signaled that they anticipate expansion of COVID-19 boosters will occur very soon to all adults 18 years of age and older. Additionally, anyone that received a J&J vaccine is already eligible and should get a booster after at least two months from their shot, regardless of living or working setting. As a reminder, our Safe Campus COVID vaccinations page has information about vaccine availability.
Please do your best to stay well while having an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
