President’s Newsletter

Tuesday, December 14, 2021
December 2021 Newsletter

Dear Colleagues:

As the semester winds down, I want to express my deep gratitude to you for your immensely hard work and for all that you do to support our students. They are ultimately why we are here, and their well-being has never been more important. I know that you prioritize them, and I know that this has not been easy.

Navigating this pandemic has been hard for everyone. Each of us has experienced loss, which manifests itself in different ways. But we have kept our college moving forward and provided an opportunity for our students to learn, so I thank everyone for the hard work—the good work—that was accomplished this year.

There is always more to do, and that can feel overwhelming. Ensuring our students have a sense of belonging is ongoing work, especially in the face of racial incidents and racist behavior that has occurred on or near our campus. Navigating interpersonal, departmental and structural conflicts is ongoing work. We have committed, as an institution, to our Better Community Statement, and we must be intentional in the work that we do to support and build our community. Thank you for doing so during one of the hardest times in recent higher education history. As your president, I am indebted to you, and I am grateful for you.

Starting Monday, December 20, 2021, through Friday, January 14, 2022, unless we are instructed otherwise by SUNY, we will be offering most employees the opportunity to work remotely, if they request this pattern of work, if their work allows it, and if they gain their supervisor’s approval. Please contact your supervisor about whether your work can be accomplished from home and for their approval.

The College will be shut down the week of December 27 through December 31 and employees will need to use accruals for that week if they are not working remotely. We are awaiting SUNY guidance regarding telecommuting during the spring semester and will communicate once we know more.

December is a time of looking back and looking forward. I wish you well as we finish the semester. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and enjoy whatever down time you are able to take. I can’t promise that 2022 will be any easier, but I’m glad that we have the chance to experience it together, as a community.