Gearing Up for Fall, 9-12-22

Dear colleagues,

With the busy fall season upon us, we are seeing a continued increase of activity in our labs, classrooms and offices. As we gear up for the full return of students, and the many events and functions that this time of year brings, we encourage and welcome our community to come together on our dynamic campus to connect and collaborate.

We have achieved a great deal over these past two-and-a-half years, and we are deeply grateful for your dedication, productivity and adaptability along the way. That said, we also know that we lost an element of connectivity that only an in-person collective presence on campus can provide. Currently, we find ourselves in a favorable place of stability with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that the relative calm of the current moment could change, but this is the right time for programs, departments and schools to assess opportunities to increase and enhance in-person activities. Many of our faculty, staff and students have been on campus regularly over the course of the pandemic, and our emphasis on safety has proved its effectiveness.

We will continue on a flexible, hybrid model, to the extent possible, but we need to regain the connections and community that we have lost since the pandemic began. Those who have worked fully remotely since March 2020, and those who have rarely worked from campus spaces since that time, could benefit from increased in-person interaction. For some, this may represent a long-awaited opportunity to get more time with peers and colleagues ‒ and for some, the chance to meet your co-workers in person. Regular on-campus activity may require personal and workplace adjustment, but I am confident that increased interaction will spur bright ideas and advance innovation in all our mission areas.

I ask our unit leaders to take this moment to examine their teams and roles, whether fully remote or hybrid, with an eye to what best enables them to fulfill their function, optimize productivity and provide their highest level of service. It is important to note that the CU Anschutz COVID-19 Vaccination Policy remains in place, and not wishing to be vaccinated does not constitute a valid reason for 100% remote work.

Our campus community is a truly special one, made so by our exceptional people. A strong spirit of collaboration is one of our cherished hallmarks, and we all benefit greatly from the social connection and intellectual exchange that take place when we come together.

I wish you a productive and safe fall, and I look forward to seeing you on campus as we embark on our next chapter, united in common purpose.

Sincerely,

Don Elliman
Chancellor