UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 05.07.21

Dear Team:

Last year, when COVID-19 first emerged, the way we managed the pandemic seemed to change nearly every day.  Fourteen months later, life is changing just as rapidly, although the good news is we are seeing more positive signs and progress. 

As we’ve said since Day 1, the ability to respond to the evolving circumstances caused by the virus is critical to our battle to control it.  Thank you for all you are doing to mitigate the spread of the virus.  Our collective effort is contributing to our communities being able to reopen a bit.  If things trend in the same direction it is reasonable to expect our universities to be more open over the summer and certainly by the beginning of the new school year.  My message this week is stay current on the changing policies and augmented procedures related to our employment and employers.  Return to work strategies are starting to be operationalized and policies like testing protocols and travel guidelines are being revised.

Flexibility and embracing change remain the themes to embrace.  I have asked our managers to also recommit to increased communication with their staffs, and in return, I ask employees to voice concerns as soon as they arise.  Keep up with testing protocol if you need to be on campus, and heed all mitigation, prevention, processes, and guidelines.  And if you want one and are able, I hope you find time to get a vaccine.

On another topic, as summer approaches, remember to pay attention to your vacation days.  Find time to get away, recharge your batteries, and refresh your minds, particularly if you have more days than you can carry over into the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Have a restful weekend and thanks for all you are doing to keep our University of Illinois communities safe.

Cheers,

Jim