February 4, 2020

Happy February, Everyone! I know you just heard from me last week, but as I told you then, I am committed to keeping you up to date on things!

This week, the state of Iowa held Presidential Caucuses. This event is frequently heralded as the “real” beginning of the US Presidential race, which will start to feature more and more prominently in many of our lives as Election Day draws near. I urge you all to remember that striving to live up to our wonderful Principles of Community can help us all navigate the election season.

I know many of you are following the rapidly developing news about the coronavirus around the world, including updates from the CDC and federal government. I assure you that we are staying on top of this crisis and we currently do not have any cases affiliated with our university community.  We’ve convened an expert team that includes infectious disease specialists, representatives from the Health Network, Student Life, Housing and Dining, and International Programs—just to name a few key units. They have been in almost constant communication and are talking often with Colorado and Larimer County health experts to make sure we are responding to the needs of every impacted member of our community.

Last Thursday I had the privilege of hosting the CSU Women’s Volleyball team, coaches and staff for their annual banquet. What a wonderful group of student-athletes! Several of our players are now playing professionally, and two have been named to the Academic All-America Team for their exceptional academic and athletic performance.

I also got a terrific update in my inbox last week: the electronic Diversity Newsletter produced by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity. If you have not yet opted in to receive this incredibly important and informative resource, I urge you to do so by emailing the VPD Communications Director Brit Heiring and joining the mailing list!

What are you doing next Tuesday evening—February 11? Join us in the LSC to hear from former US National Security Advisor and Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice. The daughter of a Tuskegee Airman and the first black woman to serve as our UN Ambassador, Ms. Rice is an incredibly exciting speaker and I am proud to be introducing her that evening. Please join us! Tickets are available here.

Finally, a much-deserved shout-out to the members of the CSU Student Veterans Organization: earlier this month, they were named Student Veterans of America’s chapter of the year, #1 in a field of 1,700 active chapters. Our chapter President, Josh Johnson, is a remarkable young leader, and the Director of our Adult Learner and Veterans Services, Marc Barker, is one of the most thoughtful, compassionate mentors I’ve met.  Congratulations!

Stay warm, dry and safe this week, all of you, and have a wonderful week.

Warmly,

Joyce