Message from Brenda

Dear Colleagues,

Winter is upon us and life is getting end-of-trimester crazy for all of you, I am sure!  

This note is to remind you all to take a moment to take care of yourselves and your loved ones but also of your colleagues and students, as things wind up.  Our professional staff teams work on crazy cycles of busyness, as do academic colleagues, whether in teaching or research.  When there is a down moment, it seems the list of things to catch up on is endless.

You are all doing wonderful work that is very important – please remember that. Education is one of the most powerful tools people have to change their lives for the better and enable others to do the same.

You are appreciated!!! – even if someone is not there to say it every day.

The Faculty on many levels is doing so well – new colleagues, new students, new research and great innovations in teaching – as well as some refreshed spaces in which to work.

We also are facing a deficit that feels almost insurmountable this year. We are -$6.6 million at present and I commend our Executive, Research Directors and all our Managers across the Faculty for searching high and low for ways to save and make additional funds. We are making some progress but this is a huge task and I thank you for your patience with us in case you receive a ‘No’ response that you feel is a bit harsh.

All efforts to improve retention, success and research achievement without compromising on quality are greatly appreciated, no matter where those efforts are being made.

If I can assist in any way, please let me know.  I will be arranging campus meetings soon and will include these in the bulletin too.

If the mid-year is a good time for you to do so, please do take your well earned leave. 

With best wishes,

Brenda