Dear Campus Community,
With the Thanksgiving holiday break upon us I want to send a note of gratitude along with some important health and safety reminders.
I truly want to thank each of you for the grit you’ve demonstrated throughout this term. As a community you’ve also shown tremendous grace and patience with each other as we navigate together through online working and learning and COVID-19 restrictions. The term is not quite over yet, but I know everyone – students, faculty and staff alike – are all working exceptionally hard right now and for that I am extremely grateful.
We know that many of you plan to travel home or out of town to visit family and friends over the holiday break. With COVID-19 cases quickly rising across Washington, I urge you to exercise good judgement and adhere to all the health guidelines to keep yourself, your friends, and your family safe this season. Public health experts have given us safety measures I would like you to consider. Staying safe may require us to “stay put” — to celebrate only with the people we already live with. For students, our residence halls will remain open if you choose to stay in your residence hall room.
As a reminder, after Thanksgiving, all classes for the remainder of the fall quarter will be online and students are encouraged to engage in learning remotely if possible. You need not return to Cheney or to campus until the new term begins after the first of the year and then only if you have any in-person classes.
Additionally, we understand this is a very stressful time for many of us. So we all need to pay attention to our feelings and if you are sad, lonely, or anxious, please reach out to someone. If you are a student, please contact counseling services or complete the Student Intake Form. If you are an employee and you need support, please contact the employee assistance program or use ICARE if you are concerned about a student.
Let’s pledge to maintain our commitment to each other even as we are so ready to feel more normal. I know that it has been challenging and often unpleasant but once again, I thank you all for that commitment to us together.
As we live out the motto “Eagle Strong” I want to thank you for your resilience and your dedication during these disruptive times. I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season.
David May
