University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

Letter from President Armacost

 

 

Please watch my video.

Let’s end the week with some good news on the COVID-19 front. As I write this, UND’s number of positive cases have declined and – so far – have not returned to anywhere near the levels we saw from mid-August to early September. The number of people in quarantine and isolation is less than half what it was a week ago. This tells us that all the planning and hard work everyone at the University put into keeping the campus open is having a positive impact. Yet, this is an ongoing battle we must continue to fight if UND’s campus is to remain open. Our goal is a safe September that leads to better days ahead. Let’s keep it up and not let our guard down!

As focused as we’ve been on COVID-19 since UND reopened for the fall semester, there are other important topics I want to cover. For example, we’ve recently established a Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which is chaired by Cara Halgren, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Tamba-Kuii Bailey, Assistant Professor of Education, Health & Behavior. This task force will help lay the vital foundation for updating UND’s strategic plan to focus squarely on goals and initiatives that achieve a stronger sense of belongingness and equity. I strongly encourage our campus community to participate in work that’s critical in defining who we are as a University.

In addition, UND has begun searches to fill two significant, high-profile positions that are key to our strategic future. On Sept. 4, we launched the search for dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. The person who fills this position will have the opportunity to not only run our renowned aviation program, but also to impact our world-class education and research programs in atmospheric science, space innovation, unmanned aircraft systems, and Earth system science and policy.

This week, we also we began the search for a new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Because Academic Affairs is responsible for creating, implementing and supporting UND’s academic priorities, I want the entire campus to be involved in the search process. Beth Bjerke, Associate Dean of the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, and David Flynn, Professor of Economics and Finance in the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, will co-chair the search committee. A series of campus listening sessions will be held next week to gain a broad perspective about what the members of our community wish to see in their next provost.

Finally, please also take time today and this weekend to reflect upon the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York City, DC, and Shanksville, PA. As we honor those who lost their lives, we continue to mourn alongside their families and friends, and we condemn these acts of hatred. Additionally, we must always honor the brave first responders who courageously acted without regard to their own personal safety. Let me ask you to take a moment after reading this note to reflect upon the sacrifices that were made that day.

Andy Armacost
President
University of North Dakota