End of year update from the chancellor

Dear UAA Faculty and Staff,

Congratulations on a successful academic year. I hope you all were able to tune into our virtual graduate hooding and commencement ceremonies over the weekend. Our student speakers gave inspiring addresses. I hope their words reinforced the importance of the work you do each and every day to provide our students with the best possible experience to help them achieve their educational dreams.

This year has been unprecedented. I remain impressed by your willingness to pivot your courses, enhance the virtual learning environment and respond to student concerns. Over the spring semester, students have shared their stories with me of faculty and staff going above and beyond to accommodate and support students’ academic needs.

As faculty prepare to go off contract, I know many of you have questions about what fall semester operations may look like and what, if any, requirements will be in place surrounding vaccinations. This has been a topic featured on national news as of late. As we head into the summer, there is no vaccination requirement. President Pitney and her executive team are currently reviewing and discussing this. When a decision is finalized, we will communicate that to you. At this time, we continue to encourage vaccination in order to bolster herd immunity to COVID-19.

Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services Bill Jacob is currently leading an on-site operations planning team. Together, they are developing a phased approach to reopening our campuses. More information will be available in the coming weeks.

Thank you again! Best wishes for a well-earned, restful, rejuvenating and safe summer. I look forward to seeing everyone on campus this fall, working together with our new chancellor.

Sincerely,
Bruce Schultz, Ed.D.
UAA Interim Chancellor

May Archive