2021 Commencement

 Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

From the day a student steps foot on this campus, it is our goal to support them on the journey to complete their college degree. Graduating from college is a momentous accomplishment that takes a lot of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges and changes to the way students learn, making our 2021 graduating class one to remember and more importantly, one to celebrate. To our graduating students, congratulations! You are almost at the finish line. We are committed to recognizing your success and are very proud of you. 

There are many factors to consider when planning commencement this year. Throughout the pandemic, we have worked hard to ensure the health and safety of our campus community, which involves adhering to public health guidelines. While still in development, we have reviewed the draft guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health for higher education commencement celebrations. We have considered how our commencement activities fit within this guidance. We continue to see encouraging trends in the pandemic, including advancement through phases of the vaccine rollout. However, we also have to be mindful of the unpredictability of the virus variants and uncertainty around the vaccine distribution timeline.

With all of this under consideration, we have decided that the UMD commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 8, will be held virtually. 

I recognize that holding our commencement ceremony in a virtual space does not replace all of the qualities of a traditional commencement. My preference would certainly be for us all to gather at Amsoil Arena in-person. Unfortunately, that is just not feasible this year. We made this decision based on several important factors including:

• The size of our graduating class (which is estimated to be over 2,000).
• The fact that holding multiple smaller ceremonies still results in capacity concerns and is not feasible given limited staffing resources.
• Our desire to minimize stress created by last minute changes.
• Most importantly, it is the best option to ensure the safety and health of our school community, families, and guests.

I am committed to enhancing our virtual ceremony to optimize the experience for our graduates and guests. As well, colleges and departments across campus continue to explore avenues for hosting supplemental smaller in-person graduation celebrations. More information about this will come as those plans solidify. The UMD commencement website will be updated with more information in the coming weeks. 

Once again, congratulations to our graduating students. I wish you the very best as you wrap up this semester and move on to your next adventure. 

Sincerely, 

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
   

Faculty, Staff and Years of Service event - April 28, 2021

 Dear Faculty and Staff,

Please join us for the Faculty, Staff, and Years of Service awards ceremony.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021
3:00 - 4:00 pm

Awards include:
Undergraduate Faculty Advisor Award
Graduate Faculty Advisor Award
Tezla Teacher/Scholar Award
Outstanding Staff Awards
Outstanding Staff Team Award
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Research/Creative Activity
Faculty & Staff Years of Service Awards for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40+

Please register at z.umn.edu/facstaff2021 and join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our UMD employee community!

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Action Required: Completing the Education Module “Preventing Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Retaliation”

 Dear Faculty, Staff, and Student Workers,

As President Gabel outlined in her email last Wednesday, one of the University’s top priorities in 2021 is the continuing campaign to eliminate sexual misconduct and all forms of discrimination and retaliation from our campuses. One of the central components of that effort is an online education module that is required for all faculty, staff, and student workers. Our goal is to have a completion rate of 100%. To truly change our campus culture, everyone must be part of building a positive workplace and must know how to identify and address harmful behaviors.

You may have already received an email from Training Hub with a link and instructions for accessing this year’s required education module, “Preventing Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Retaliation.” You can also find the link and instructions on the My Training page in Training Hub once it has been assigned. The course will take two to three hours to complete for employees and three to four hours for supervisors, so you may want to take it over multiple sessions (you can stop it at any time and return later). The module will need to be completed by May 27. If you believe you may have difficulty completing the course because you have been negatively affected by sexual misconduct, please notify your supervisor. (You do not need to give a specific reason for opting out of the module.) You may also contact the resources on this Safe Campus web page for confidential counseling.  

If you have other questions about the module or the process, please contact your supervisor or your unit’s HR representative. 

We know that you share President Gabel’s belief that everyone at the University should feel secure and welcome. Thank you for your participation in this course. Together, we build a healthier, safer, and more welcoming campus climate. 

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Support for Our Asian American Community

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

I am heartbroken and upset by the news out of Atlanta this week and the continued acts of violence and discrimination across our nation against individuals of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander decent. Incidents like this have become too common in our society. Our shared responsibility, one that upholds the mission of the University of Minnesota Duluth, is to understand, educate, and dismantle the mechanisms by which racism continues throughout our communities.
 
Please read this statement from the UMD Office of Diversity and Inclusion and join me in committing ourselves to using our energy, passion, and care for our fellow human beings to end this abhorrent cycle of violence and discrimination. 
 
This particular incident is weighing heavily on our Asian American community, especially in light of the increase in racism during the pandemic. For all who are affected by violence and discrimination, I want you to remember you are not alone. UMD has many resources to help you navigate through such challenges. They include: 

• Student Counseling Services
• Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Faculty and Staff Mental Health Resources
• Opportunities for Supporting Students During the Derek Chauvin Trial
• Twin Cities Office for Equity and Diversity

As always, if you experience or witness any incidents that undermine and damage a safe, respectful, and diverse campus environment, please report the situation. 
 
Please continue to stay healthy, safe, and well.
 
Sincerely, 
 
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Updates: Vaccines, Commencement, Work from Home

 Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I have just a few quick updates for you today.

Dial-Back in Minnesota Restrictions and Vaccine Update
Last week, Governor Walz “dialed-back” a number of pandemic-related restrictions and we are analyzing the impact of all of them on our community. The Governor also noted that Minnesota has expanded the groups now eligible for vaccines. You can learn more about this expansion from the Minnesota Department of Health. We understand how frustrating this process can be for those seeking to be vaccinated. You may wish to use the State Vaccine Connector to assist you in locating a vaccine. Your local medical clinic or pharmacy may also be helpful resources.

Commencement
The new guidance from Governor Walz will affect events and activities in our surrounding environment. One important annual event for our campus is celebrating the accomplishments of our graduating students at commencement. Each year, more than 2,000 students successfully complete their degrees at UMD. Campus leadership and commencement planning staff continue to work through the scenarios, public health guidance, and logistics for UMD commencement activities. You can expect more updates on this in the next few weeks.

Work from Home Update
As you know, most faculty and staff have been working from home consistent with the Governor’s previous executive order and have planned to do so through June 30. But last week’s orders from the Governor included an update on work-from-home instructions. Starting in mid-April, as per the Governor, working from home is no longer mandatory.

At the University, we will continue to support working from home whenever possible for everyone’s increased safety. To provide clarity for faculty and staff, we have extended the work from home date until August 2, systemwide. We believe this extension will ensure safety and time for planning.

If you need to return to campus sooner than August 2 to conduct your work, please work with your supervisor to coordinate a return and to update your unit’s sunrise plan as needed. We continue to require facial coverings on campus, as well as physical distancing, hand washing, and avoiding crowded gatherings.

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Update on Fall 2021 Semester

 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

Chauvin Trial Resources

 Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

While it was not a traditional week-long spring break, I hope you had some time away from work and studies to recharge as we finish the last two months of the academic year. Please be sure to follow all COVID-19 health and safety procedures, including closely monitoring your health for symptoms. Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our campus safe and doing your part to help control the spread of COVID-19.

Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. Over the next few months, many people across the state and around the world will be watching the court proceedings in Minneapolis. This trial and the activities around it are sure to bring a mix of emotions, challenges, and stresses to our community, especially for Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

The issues surrounding the trial are complex and underscore the importance of justice for our society. During unsettling times, I encourage you to find ways to lean in and engage in constructive dialogue, even when the conversations are difficult. While we cannot predict the outcome of this case, we can support each other and continue to model our core values of respect, inclusiveness, and integrity.

Recognizing all of this, I also want to remind each of you that we have support resources available. Please reference this Supporting UMD Students During the Chauvin Trial document for a comprehensive list of resources for students and how faculty and staff can help support students during this time.

The Office for Public Engagement on the Twin Cities campus also has a trial website with useful resources, including a great section on past events, recordings, and scholarship that help individuals engage in dialogue about racial justice.

In addition, faculty and staff can find resources through the Office of Human Resources/Chauvin Trial Resources website.

Sincerely,

Lendly C. Black
Chancellor