• There is no question we are living in a moment when our nation is painfully coming to grips with the reality of systemic racism that has been woven into the fabric of our society for generations. Racism exists despite the bloody battles of the Civil War, despite protections guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments, despite the hard-fought victories of the Civil Rights movement, and despite more recent efforts of individuals and institutions to consciously promote diversity and inclusion.
• The recent, tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of white policemen, coming soon after a spate of other senseless murders of black men and women, has refocused our attention on the racism that affects our black community. Racial disparities touch virtually all aspects of American life, from infant mortality rates, access to health care, residential and educational opportunities, incarceration rates, employment, and life expectancy.
• As leaders of this university it is important to speak out against these and other less publicized atrocities inflicted against people of color in our nation. We call on our entire university community and nation to recognize that these are not isolated events, but instead reflect a society deeply in need of transformation and healing.
• I wanted to take a moment in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month to both acknowledge the stress and anxiety you have experienced due to the coronavirus and share a number of resources available to you throughout your time as UO students.
• We all recognize the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on both the University of Oregon and the national higher education landscape. The simple truth is that the coronavirus is an invisible disruptor that suddenly and harshly threatened what has been the UO’s foundation for nearly 150 years—the ability to fulfill our mission of excellent teaching, research, and service as a residential campus.
• Let me begin by observing that our community’s immediate response to the COVID-19 crisis was inspiring. I want to sincerely thank all of you—faculty, staff, administrators, GEs, and students—who are working tirelessly to keep our community strong and deliver on our mission of teaching, discovery, and service during this extraordinarily difficult time. It has truly been awe-inspiring and humbling. Now we must turn our attention to the future, to think about the next school year and beyond.
• We are all facing uncertainty and unprecedented challenges as we work collectively to slow the spread of COVID-19. I am deeply thankful and proud of the way each of you has responded to our rapid shift in operations, while juggling your own personal challenges, to meet our vital mission of teaching, research, and service.
• On Thursday, April 2, at 4:00 p.m., the university will hold a virtual town hall for all faculty and staff. You can watch the livestream on this webpage. Submit questions ahead of time using this web form or ask questions during the town hall by emailing townhall@uoregon.edu.
• Provost Phillips and I are writing to provide the latest update on the University of Oregon’s response to the coronavirus. Gov. Kate Brown today issued new orders for individuals, businesses, and agencies throughout the state as part of the continued effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
• President Michael Schill talks about the University of Oregon's commitment to protect and support students, and how the campus community is preparing to deliver remote education for spring term so students can continue their education and stay on track to graduation.
